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v i s u a l a r t s In 1986. Serban won Vienna's highly esteemed Hirdir prize for his restoration work on Brasov's Black Church, and in 1992 he was awarded a grant from Spain's Joan M i r o Foundation. Allhough Serban had developed a sterling reputation as an artist by the 1980s, the political climate in Romania placed many restrictions on him. Romania's communist government forced Serban and other artisans to spend five years working exclusively on the Parliament Palace, a building built in tribute to dictator Nicholae Coucescu. Serban was also barred from leaving Romania to accept his Joan M i r o grant. The Coucescu regime had fallen by the mid-1990s, but Romania's standard of living still remained low in comparison with other European countries. Serban and his family moved to Canada this summer, determined to build a new life in North Vancouver. "I've been in Canada all the t i m e " he jokes, "but just arrived a little bit later. The art is universal." Since his arrival. Serban has been actively seeking work throughout the Lower Mainland. He has already designed monument proposals for Lumberman's A r c h in Stanley Park and has worked in collaboration with Chief Leonard George on designs for a memorial sculpture of Chief Dan George. Serban's favourite medium is bronze, but he also works in stone, particularly marble. His specialty is large-scale sculptures: all of his smaller models are designed to be built as public monuments. He is inspired by the subjects nl his sculptures, and. in the case of monuments, the environment where his work w i l l be seen. Although he is best known for his monuments, Serban prides himself on Ins ability to work in a variety of styles, recently producing abstract sculptures for the F A N S Night Art Exhibition and designing ornamental sculptures for private homes. Serban's work is on display at the Noiili Vancouver District Hall from January 8. 1998. A portrait boy, pastel by Mahnaz Khooy-Fard of a on young paper, Kian Abstract on canvas, Darab figures, by oil Shabahang Darab Shabahang Originally from Iran. Darab Shabahang has enjoyed long and varied careers as both a scientist and as an artist. He completed his bachelor of science degree in physics from Poona University. India, and spent several years in England working as a physicist. He returned to Iran in the 1970s during the country's revolution but was unable to continue his work in physics because of his political beliefs. Prohibited from pursuing his scientific career, Shabahang turned to art. his childhood hobby. The 1980s and early 1990s were a very productive time for Shabahang: he worked as a music teacher, taught art classes, and published art books through his own company. Shabahang Art Studio. Shabahang also began to develop his career as a painter. His teaching career allowed him to explore a diverse range of styles: impressionism, expressionism, realism, cubism, and classical work. He found himself particularly drawn to expressionist work, and, as his skill developed, began to participate in individual and group exhibitions throughout Iran. His greatest love, however, was his research on traditional Iranian art. Shabahang spearheaded a group of academics and artists seeking ways to incorporate traditional Iranian styles and colours into modern work. Almost 20 years after the revolution in Iran. Shabahang grew tired of the social and political oppression in his homeland. He and his family moved to Canada a year and a half ago and immediately met with terrible misfortune: his luggage was lost en route from the Middle East. The missing bags contained his entire life's work of paintings, publishing, and research. The loss of his work was a devastating blow lor Shabahang that has left him feeling unsettled in his new country. "I am lost," he admits. "I love painting. I'm trying to read some books and articles and find out what's going on here | i n Canada]. I want to find out who's who and where I can find my place."