Anis Tabaraee “I challenged myself to represent my contemporary era through my art”
Iranian visual artist and Now Then favourite gets us up to speed on her recent work, including a new collection of paintings.
It’s been two years since we last spoke to painter Anis Tabaraee, so we were thrilled to hear about her new collection, which is informed by the history of Iran, and to have her share the news with our readers.
Hi Anis. Good to talk to you again. What have you been up to since we last spoke in 2021?
I expanded my activities into teaching, writing short articles and participating in group painting exhibitions in international events, but when I decided to join the [Iran] strikes, I challenged myself to represent my contemporary era [through] my art. I targeted the events that happened during the time periods and history of Iran, like death, fear and elite demolition. As an artist I felt that it was my duty to capture the current situation.
How do you think your work has evolved over the last two years?
The early stages of full deformation in structures narrowed down to certain areas which keep the main shapes [alongside] my own articulation and decoration. The sharp colour pallet [has] changed to darker colours.
You recently took part in a painting symposium in Turkey. Can you tell us a bit more about this?
I was invited to the symposium with a group of nine artists from Iran as the first group and nation. Taking part in this event, I was required to paint two paintings during ten days in a live workshop on the theme of Turkey`s republic which would belong to a permanent collection at the museum. I expressed my thoughts in an expressionist manner through the flag symbol and colour mixed with my own manipulation of forms, and it turned into a story of pride about how the flag was created.
You're launching a new collection. What have you been exploring through this work?
Destruction and devastation of human life are the fundamental keys of my new collections using the [Iranian royal] Qajar dynasty as a reference. I chose this theme and time period to show the dark days of my country. The heroes died. This collection is a representation of contemplation and the cultural symbols that we lost during history.
You also have a solo show coming up. Where and when will you be exhibiting?
My new collection will be exhibited soon at Eran Art Gallery in Canada.
