Anahita Ghazanfari

1977

Iran

Education:

2003 Bachelor of Art in Painting, Culture & Art University, Iran.
2008 Master of Art in Illustration, Art University, Iran.

Anahita Ghazanfari was born in Khoramabad, Iran, in 1977. Ghazanfari’s passion for art is something that has been cultivated since the early years of her life. Ghazanfari was fortunate to be nurtured in an artistic environment that encourages one to learn, to understand of one’s past, and appreciate the culture and traditions of one’s country. These beliefs allowed Ghazanfari to express herself freely in art. Various exposure to other forms of art and literature in her formative years can also be found in her works today. Ghazanfari understands the beginnigng of her lifelong journey as an artist to be her 18th birthday. On this day, she received a life-changing gist from her father: her very first analogue camera that was to initiate her mature practice today.

Ghazanfari’s philosophy of artistic practice is based on the understanding of art’s ability to transcend mediums and envelopes artist and audience. In her work, the camera and the brush complement one another in harmony and collaboration to bring her soulful, poetic stories alive to the eyes.

Currently, Anahita Ghazanfari lives and works in Malaysia. Ghazanfari has regarded this change in her life to be one that offered her countless opportunities to expand her horizons and view art from a perspective beyond and completely different from that of her home country.

Nature is undoubtedly the main feature of Ghazanfari’s works. Combined with elements of the past and memories, nature is brought to life in Ghazanfari’s works. The finishing product often tied together with influences from Iranian Islamic art. Ghazanfari realises through her works that despite our acceptance of the modern, digital world, we remain fundamentally a part of nature. Her works delve into the subject of human perception. Here, diverse elements, such as her own insights, emotions, memories, and observations, combine into a whole that provokes and inspires in her works.

“I truly believe that art is soulful and resides deep within oneself. Art is roused by the harmonious vibes and beauty of nature that envelops 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.”

Selected Events

Exhibitions and Awards:

2017 “Untitled 3 / Group Exhibition” – The House of Young Photographer Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
2017 “7.3 Richter / Charity Exhibition” – The White Line Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
2017 “Peace Time / Group Exhibition” – Satura Art Gallery, Genova, Italy.
2017 “Unfinished Lines II / Group Exhibition” – The National Art Museum of Tirana, Albania.
2017 “In Between Leaves / Two Person Exhibition” – Artemis Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2017 “Open Studio Exhibition” – GlogauAir, Berlin, Germany.
2017 “People of Seremban / Showcase Window” – GlogauAir, Berlin, Germany.
2017 “Story of Rooms / Showcase Window” – GlogauAir, Berlin, Germany.
2017 “Calligraphy and Illumination by Iranian Artists” – White Box Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2017 “Journey” – Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2017 “Rediscover KL / Installation Exhibition” – The Row, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2017 “Collective / Individuals” – Urbanscapes House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2017 “MEADOWS PERSONAL STRUCTURES” – Palazzo Mora, Venice, Italy.
2017 “XS / Group Exhibition” – Titikmareh Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2017 “Lock Up Locker” – Harry Rogers Home, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 Langkawi Art Biennale – Langkawi, Malaysia.
2016 “IMMORTAL? / International Installation Group Exhibition” – L’atelier Rouge Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “Quatre Femmes” – L’atelier Rouge Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “Exploration and Expression / Residency Exhibition” – Port Commune, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “The Story of Rooms” – Atelier Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “Daydreaming” – Ella Art Space, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2015 “Art Connection International” – Matic Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2015 International Exhibition of Iranian Artists in South-East Asia and Pacific – Matic Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2014 Contemporary Iranian Artists Exhibition – Melaka Art Gallery, Melaka, Malaysia.
2014 Iranian Artists Painting Exhibition – Cube Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2013 International Women’s Day Exhibition – Art Malaysia Viva Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2012 “SEPULAH DAH / Iranian Artist Exhibition” – Artseni Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2012 “MAIRA Malaysia Iran Art Exhibition” – Gallery Aswara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2010 Monorail Photo Festival, Malaysia, 2010.
2006 Autumn Solo Photo Exhibition – Ferdos Gallery, Iran.
2002 Abyaneh Group Photo Exhibition & Competition / 1st place – University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
2001 Dialogue of Civilisations Group Photo Exhibition & Competition / 1st place – University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
2001 Participation in Group Painting Exhibition – Nivaran Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran.
2000 Ahvaz Solo Photo Exhibition, Ahvaz, Iran.

Work and Artist Participation:

2017 Glogauair Artist Residency – Berlin, Germany.
2016 Documentary Photographer / Langkawi Art Biennale – Langkawi, Malaysia.
2016 Balik Balik Art Bazaar – National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2015 Sembilan Art Residency – Seremban, Malaysia.
2014 Documentary Photographer / Langkawi Art Biennale – Langkawi, Malaysia.
2012-2014 Photographer – Centre for Content Creation, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
2010-2011 Freelance Photographer and Writer / Monorail Magazine – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Media Interviews:

2017 “Lock Up locker / The Bigger Picture” – BFM Radio, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “IMMORTAL?” – Nanyang Press Newspaper, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “IMMORTAL?” – SinChew Press Newspaper, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “IMMORTAL? / The Bigger Picture” – BFM Radio, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “Quatre Femmes” – SinChew Press Newspapers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “Exploration X Expression / The Bigger Picture” – BFM Radio, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “The Story Of Rooms” – ENanyang Website, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016 “Changing the Landscape” – Marie Claire Magazine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.