Where Heritage Meets Modernity

The Philosophy of Nilpar Gallery

Nilpar Gallery was established as a sanctuary for reimagining Persian heritage. In a world that often separates the ancient from the contemporary, our mission is to identify the fluid connection between the two.

Specialising in the deconstruction of Eslimi, traditional rhythmic spirals of Persian art, the gallery showcases works that honour the mathematical precision of the past while embracing the abstract freedom of the present.

Each piece in the collection is an exploration of memory, utilising 24k gold leaf and textured mediums to create art that is not just seen, but felt. Nilpar Gallery is more than a display space; it is a dialogue between the history we inherit and the future we create.

The Visionary

Nilpar Gallery is the creative home of Niloofar K. Afshar, known as 'The Designer Lady.' Her background in graphic design and fine arts drives the gallery's unique aesthetic.

Artist Biography

Early Life & Inspiration

Niloofar Afshar is an Iranian-born artist whose work weaves memory, heritage, and emotion into intricate, dreamlike compositions. Growing up in Iran, she was immersed in the ornate world of Persian patterns, found in tiled mosques, traditional rugs, illuminated manuscripts, and even the smallest household objects. These patterns weren’t just decoration; they were a living language, a sacred geometry that became embedded in her sense of identity.

Her earliest inspiration came from her mother, a realist painter who worked with oil on canvas. As a child, Niloofar would sit quietly watching her mother paint in her finest clothes, music playing softly in the background. It was in those moments, where joy and creativity briefly transcended hardship, that the seed of her artistic calling was planted. Though her mother later gave up painting due to the demands of single parenthood, the imprint she left remained powerful and lasting.

Education & Qualifications

Niloofar’s journey into art was not a linear one. Initially, she pursued a practical career in technology, completing Microsoft IT certifications in Iran and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Security from Middlesex University in the UK. Yet, the pull of art never faded. It appeared in the margins of her notebooks, in gifts for friends, and in the poetry she wrote to hold emotions that defied spoken language.

Years later, she returned to her creative roots with full commitment, earning a Bachelor of Arts and Design from Unitec Institute of Technology in New Zealand, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design from Swinburne University of Melbourne, and a Certificate in Interior Design from the IDI Education Centre.

To reconnect more deeply with her heritage, Niloofar studied under master artists of Persian traditional arts. She completed a full certification in Tazhib (Persian illumination art) from the Shidnegar Institution, under the direct mentorship of master Mohsen Aghamiri, whose signature she proudly holds on her certificate.

Art Style & Process

Now based in Sydney, Niloofar creates artworks that reflect a poetic blend of Persian tradition and contemporary expression. Her pieces often feel like portals to dreamlike scenes where sorrow and joy, nostalgia and hope coexist.

Her process is slow, intentional, and deeply personal. She crafts her painting surfaces by glueing fine handmade Japanese paper onto sturdy illustration board using starch paste, a method rooted in traditional bookbinding. This base is left to cure for a week before painting begins. Niloofar makes her gouache paints by mixing dry pigments with Arabic gum and gold powder, ensuring every element of her work is handcrafted and meaningful.

Through her exploration of Persian motifs, she builds a visual dialogue between cultures and an “in-between” world that reflects her own diasporic identity. Her art is not only an act of creation but one of remembrance and healing.

Design Skills & Creative Practice

Beyond traditional painting, Niloofar is also a skilled graphic designer with a strong command of visual communication. Her expertise includes:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects)

• 3D Design & Motion Graphics

• Interior & Spatial Design

• Typography & Layout

• Digital Illustration

• Concept Development & Branding

With over ten years of experience across design, art direction, and creative development, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to every project, whether it’s on canvas, in print, or a digital environment.

Artist Statement

“My art is a fusion of tradition and innovation. Every line and color I choose tells a story that transcends borders, memories, and time. Through my work, I reconnect with my roots and share that experience with others.”