Azra Hirji's Illustrations Archive Family Food, Migration, and Memory
Azra Hirji, a Toronto-based illustrator, is gaining acclaim for her Substack, 'In The Filing Cabinet,' where she highlights themes of food, family, and cultural heritage through her vivid artwork. Her pieces showcase an array of dishes, embodying her heritage with East African and South Asian influences. Hirji has collaborated with notable brands such as DASH Water and Penguin Random House. Her artwork is deeply personal, often reflecting her familial traditions, including her late father's signature lentil dish, 'daar.' Currently, she resides between Toronto, Lisbon, and London, drawing creative inspiration from various cultural sources.
Key facts
- Azra Hirji is an illustrator based between Lisbon, London, and Toronto.
- She runs the Substack 'In The Filing Cabinet'.
- Her illustrations focus on food, family, and cultural heritage.
- Commissions include DASH Water, La Marzocco, The Kitchn, Wine Enthusiast, Four Seasons Kyoto, and Penguin Random House.
- She was born in Toronto to East African and South Asian parents.
- Her late father's lentil dish 'daar' inspired an ode on her Substack.
- She credits the CyberArts programme in Toronto for helping her develop her artistic skills.
- Her work reflects the intersection of food, migration, and memory.
Entities
Artists
- Azra Hirji
Institutions
- Substack
- DASH Water
- La Marzocco
- The Kitchn
- Wine Enthusiast
- Four Seasons Kyoto
- Penguin Random House
- Creative Boom
- CyberArts
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- London
- United Kingdom
- Tanzania
- East Africa
- South Asia