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I'm Zahra Amini, a London-based illustrator specialising in children's book illustration. Originally from Iran, I moved to the UK to complete my MA in Children's Book Illustration & Graphic Novels at Middlesex University. My work has been published and exhibited across the UK, the US, China, Qatar, Australia, Lebanon and Iran, and I'm currently based in London, where I illustrate, exhibit and take part in the city's wider illustration community.15:10
My illustration work centres on storytelling for children, with a focus on warmth, texture and character. I've illustrated five children's books to date, including two bilingual titles published in English and Arabic by HBKU Press in Qatar, which were shown at Frankfurt, Bologna and London book fairs. My books have gone on to be recognised internationally, including a Finalist placement at the American Book Fest and a Bronze Medal at the Living Now Book Awards. Alongside book illustration, I take on public art commissions and gallery work, including painted sculptures for city-wide art trails in Iran and, most recently, the UK.
In 2021 I was nominated by IIDCYA as the only illustrator from Iran to take part in the BIB–UNESCO Albín Brunovský Workshop at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava, one of the most respected illustration events in the world. More recently, I was selected from over 450 applicants to design and paint a sculpture for Wild in Art's Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne trail, on public display at Newcastle Central Station through 2026. My work has also been shortlisted at the Hiii Illustration Awards in China and recognised with a Certificate of Merit at the 3x3 International Illustration Award in New York.
In 2021 I was nominated by IIDCYA as the only illustrator from Iran to take part in the BIB–UNESCO Albín Brunovský Workshop at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava, one of the most respected illustration events in the world. More recently, I was selected from over 450 applicants to design and paint a sculpture for Wild in Art's Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne trail, on public display at Newcastle Central Station through 2026. My work has also been shortlisted at the Hiii Illustration Awards in China and recognised with a Certificate of Merit at the 3x3 International Illustration Award in New York.
Illustration, for me, is about creating images that stay with young readers long after the page is turned. Whether I'm working on a book, a public sculpture or a gallery piece, I try to bring the same sense of care and curiosity to every project. I'm always open to new collaborations, commissions and conversations about children's book illustration, so feel free to get in touch.
HONORS AND AWARDS
• 2025 : 3×3 International Illustration Award| Student category | Certificate of Merit.
• 2024 : Hiii Illustration Awards | Uncommissioned Category | Shortlisted.
• 2022 : The 19th Annual Best Book Awards (American Book Fest) | children’s fiction category | What If There Was No School Book | Finalist.
• 2022 : Living Now Book Awards | What If There Was No School Book | children’s inspirational picture book category | Bronze Medal.
• 2022 : Purple Dragonfly Awards | What If There Was No School Book | School Issues category | Honourable Mention.
• 2022 : Celebrating the Centenary of Mehdi Azar-Yazdi, Good Stories for Good Children | Main Section | Commended.
• 2022 : Royal Dragonfly Awards | What If There Was No School book | 5 & Younger category | Honourable Mention.
• 2021 : The 18th Annual Best Book Awards (American Book Fest) | The Mysterious Blossom Book | Children’s Mind/Body/Spirit category | Finalist.
• 2021 : BIB–UNESCO Albín Brunovský Workshop (One of the most prestigious biennial illustration events worldwide). | Nominated.
• 2021 : Purple Dragonfly Awards | The Mysterious Blossom Book | Best Illustration category | Honourable Mention.
• 2019 : 26th Festival of Visual Arts of Iran | Illustration Category | Selected to participate in a One-Week Illustration Workshop.
• 2019 : 7th Youth Visual Arts Festival | Illustration Category | Second Prize.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
• Future-2027: Group Illustration Exhibition, 3 Artworks, Voices Across Generations, (7 April–4 May 2027) Curated by Sahar Haghgoo, Lauderdale House, London, UK.
• Future-2026: Group Illustration Exhibition, 3 Artworks, Unveiling the Forest, (19-23 October 2026) Curated by Sahar Haghgoo, Pan Intercultural Arts, London, UK.
• Future-2026: Selected Illustration, 4th International Philip K. Dick Festival (PKDFEST 2026), organised in partnership with the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, California State University, Fullerton, (20–23 August 2026)- California, USA.
• 2026: Selected artist, Art Trail for Wild in Art Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne, Newcastle Central Station – Newcastle, UK.
• 2026: Group Exhibition With My Roots, 6th Iranian Contemporary Art Biennale, (22–30 May 2026), Mall Galleries, London, UK.
• 2025: Group Exhibition Iranian Illustration Week, Iranian Artists Forum – Tehran, Iran.
• 2022: Group Exhibition First Annual Illustration Exhibition of Alborz | Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran.
• 2022: Group Exhibition Celebrating the Centenary of Mehdi Azar-Yazdi, Iranian Children’s Book Council, Iranian Artists Forum – Tehran, Iran.
• 2022: Selected artist for the Baharestan Art Trail project by Tehran Municipality, designing and painting giant eggs exhibited across the city in Spring 2022, Tehran, Iran.
• 2021: Selected artist for the Spring Sparrows Art Trail by the Qom Municipality’s Beautification Organization, designing and painting large-scale sparrow sculptures exhibited throughout the city of Qom in Spring 2021, Qom, Iran.
• 2020: Selected Artwork, Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Illustrators Wall: Season’s Greetings Edition (Online Exhibition), 14 December 2020 – 6 January 2021, Bologna, Italy.
• 2019: Selected artist for the Baharestan Art Trail project by Tehran Municipality, designing and painting giant eggs exhibited across the city in Spring 2019, Tehran, Iran.
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
Zahra Amini was born in 1995 in Esfahan. Growing up in Esfahan, the city of beauty and art, can be one of the reasons she fell in love with art. She loves plants, trees and flowers; they have been her main inspiration throughout the years. Zahra worked predominately in the medium of painting and illustrating.
