Based in Berlin and working between Tehran, Paris, and Berlin, Soufia Erfanian’s artistic practice is rooted in painting and drawing. Engaging deeply with personal and societal themes, her work examines the intersections of systemic oppression and self-expression—particularly in relation to marginalized bodies. Shaped by experiences of displacement and the negotiation of identity beyond normative frameworks, she explores how relational structures transform during times of rupture and redefinition, challenging conventional perceptions of gender, desire, and belonging while embracing fluidity as a site of resistance.
Memory, trauma, femininity, and the construction of affection and collective love form the foundation of her practice. She explores the tensions between intimacy and distance, reflecting on the fragility of emotional bonds in a fragmented world. Her work operates both as a means of self-inquiry and as a transformative process—one that does not seek to bury past experiences but to confront and process them. By actively engaging with these experiences, she creates space for reflection and healing, aiming to transform pain and trauma into a powerful force for growth. Instead of allowing these moments to remain buried, she brings them to the surface, offering a space for release. This process becomes both a personal and collective reckoning.