Leila Zolfalipour

What was your favorite book as a child?

My favourite childhood book was The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I loved its dreamlike quality and how it spoke about love, loss, and imagination in such a simple way. Even though I first read it in Persian translation, its sense of wonder stayed with me. I was amazed that a story for children could carry so much wisdom about human relationships. That book taught me that both art and writing can capture feelings and truths that aren’t easy to say directly, and it still influences how I approach creativity today.

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I started writing creatively when I was describing my artwork for exhibitions and proposals. My descriptions often turned lyrical, almost like poems. The images carried stories, and the words I found to explain them began standing on their own. That’s when I realized writing could be another medium for me, one that works hand in hand with my visual art. Writing lets me explore memory, identity, and belonging in ways that complement what I do with paint, wood, or clay.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

The most adventurous experience of my life was moving from Iran to Canada to pursue art. It was both terrifying and exciting to leave behind family, friends, and everything familiar. Starting over in a new country meant learning to navigate a new culture while trying to build a creative path for myself. It still feels thrilling because that decision continues to shape who I am today, both as a woman and as an artist.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

When I write, I prefer silence so I can follow the rhythm of my own thoughts. Writing feels like tuning into an inner voice, and music can sometimes interrupt that. With reading, it depends. If I need to focus deeply, I like quiet. But for more reflective books, I sometimes enjoy instrumental music, especially classical piano or traditional Persian melodies, which add atmosphere without distracting me.