Soheila Esfahani (BA '03) has designed a new coin for the Royal Canadian Mint.

Soheila Esfahani (BA '03, MFA '10 from Western University) has created the winning design for a new coin in the Royal Canadian Mint’s Celebrating Canada’s Diversity collection. The coin, titled Transcendence and Tranquility, features a central turquoise gemstone on a paisley motif that is encircled by Eslimi or arabesque patterns, Shah Abbasi flower designs, lotus flowers, maple leaves. The original inspiration for the design was a medallion in the center of her own Persian rug, brought from Iran during a trip back after immigrating to Canada in 1992. 

Soheila is an Assistant Professor in Studio Arts at Western University.  Visit her website for more information about her art practice.

Image: Royal Canadian Mint