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Anahita Ghazanfari
Born 1977 in Khoramabad, Iran
Anahita Ghazanfari’s passion for art is something that has been cultivated since early in her life, nurtured by the belief her archeologist father holds that self-knowledge comes from an understanding of one’s past, encouraging her to learn, understand and appreciate her country’s culture and traditions. This encouragement included allowing her to express her art freely, including on the walls of their home, and exposure to history books, poems, and museums. These experiences still feature prominently in her work today.
Although her pursuit of art as a career path received support from her parents throughout her early life, Anahita regards the beginning of her lifelong journey really began when she turned 18, and received a life-changing gift from her father, an analogue camera.
Anahita’s philosophy of artistic practice is that art transcends medium, with both the camera and brush complementing each other to help her create poetic visual stories.
Currently, Anahita lives in Malaysia, a move that she regards as one that has allowed her to expand her horizons and view art from a perspective that goes beyond her home country.
Nature features prominently in Anahita’s body of work, combined with elements of memories from her past and influences from Iranian Islamic art. Despite accepting the modern world, Anahita realizes that nature is all enveloping, and that we, too, are very much a part of nature.
Using nature as a basis, her works delve into the subject of human perception, combining diverse elements such as her own insights, emotions, memories, and observations.
I truly believe that art is soulful and resides deep within oneself. Art is roused by the harmonious vibes and beauty of nature that envelopes us. Nature is within us as it is around us and we all hail from nature. Modernity does not annul this fact.
Nature touches and invokes its most primal creativity in an artist. Hence, works of art are projections of an artist's soul to the outside world. In my case, nature speaks to my soul and predominantly through its magnificent beauty and permanence paradoxical to the evanescence imposed by human ambition and limitations. Nature gives us recognition of source and hope of continuity.
Education
Master of Art in Illustration, Art University, Iran
Bachelor of Art in Painting, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
Awards (selected)
2010
Shortlisted for First Monorail Photo Festival, Malaysia
2002
First Place, Abyaneh group photo exhibition/competition, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
2001
First Place, Dialogue of Civilisations group photo exhibition/competition, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
Solo Exhibitions
2016
The Story of Rooms, Atelier Art Space, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya
2006
Autumn solo photo exhibition, Ferdos Gallery, Iran
2000
Ahvaz solo photo exhibition, Iran
Group Exhibitions
2017
People of Seremban, GlogauAir, Berlin, Germany
Story of Rooms, GlogauAir, Berlin, Germany
Calligraphy and Illumination by Iranian Artists, White Box, MAP@Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Journey, Creative Space, Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rediscover KL, The Row, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Collective Individuals, Urbanscapes House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Meadows Personal Structures, Palazzo Mora, Venice, Italy
XS, Titimerah Gallery, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lock Up Locker Art Exhibition, Harry Rogers Home, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
2016
Langkawi Art Biennale 2016, Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
IMMORTAL?, L’Atelier Rouge, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Quatre Femme, L’Atelier Rouge, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Sembilan Residency Exhibition: Exploration x Expression, Port Commune, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Daydreaming, Ella Art Space, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2015
International Exhibition of Iranian Artist in Southeast Asia and Pacific, MATIC Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art Connexion International, MATIC Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2014
Contemporary Iranian Artists, Melaka Art Gallery, Melaka, Malaysia
Iranian Artist Painting Exhibition, Cube Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2013
International Women’s Day Exhibition, Art Malaysia @ Viva Homes, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2012
SEPULUH DAH: Iranian Artist Exhibition, Art Seni Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia Iran Art Exhibition MAIRA, Gallery Aswara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2010
Monorail Photo Festival, Malaysia
2001
Group Painting Exhibition, Nivaran Art Gallery, Iran
Residency Experience
2017
Artist in Residence, Glogauair Residency, Berlin, Germany
2015
Artist in Residence, Sembilan Art Residency, Seremban, Malaysia
Other Artistic Activities
2016
Documentary Photographer, Langkawi Art Biennale 2016, Langkawi, Malaysia
2015
Balik Balik Art Bazaar, National Visual Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2014
Documentary Photographer, Langkawi Art Biennale 2014, Langkawi, Malaysia
2012 – 2014
Photographer (full time), Centre for Content Creation, Limkokwing University for Creative Technology, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
2010 – 2011
Freelance Photographer and Writer, Monorail Magazine (Iranian lifestyle magazine), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In The Media
2017
“LOCK UP LOCKER ART” – BFM Radio, March 1 2017
2016
“Immortal?” – interview, Nanyang Siang Pau, October 18 2016
“Immortal?” – interview, Sin Chew Press, October 2016
“Immortal?” – interview, “THE ART OF BEING GREEN”, BFM Radio, October 5 2016
“Quatre Femmes” – interview, Sin Chew Press, September 2016
“Exploration x Expression” – interview, BFM Radio, May 20 2016
“The Story of Rooms” –“安娜希塔 – 让房间说故事” (Anahita – Lets The Room Tell The Story), eNanyang.my, March 21 2016
“Changing The Landscape” – Marie Claire Magazine, January 2016
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