“I’m not interested in perpetuating notions of cultural exoticism and portrayals of Iranian women as victims. Rather, my work is a vehicle for shifting power.”
Symbols and subtext abound in culturally-charged assemblage.
Arghavan Khosravi draws from her own life to depict the fragmentation of diasporic cultural identity. These experiences manifest in segmented, layered canvases which often incorporate 3D objects like earbuds and chains. Her work is rich with symbolic motifs such as red strings and obscured facial features that reflect cultural restrictions imposed on the artist while living in Iran. However, Khosravi is keen to do so subtly – conveying a sense of claustrophobia rather than outright violence. Throughout her oeuvre, Khosravi advocates human rights while refusing to abide by Western stereotypes o...
Bio
Arghavan Khosravi (she/her) was born in Shahr-e-kord, Iran in 1984. She now lives and works in New York, USA.
Career
Growing up in Tehran, Khosravi was inspired by murals across the city by her contemporary Mehdi Ghadyanloo. After working for ten years as a graphic designer in Iran, Khosravi moved to the US to pursue her passion for painting.
Influences
The artist pulls from influences including Marisol Escobar’s blending of 3D forms and 2D surfaces, Tom Wesselman’s use of the shaped canvas, the vibrant palette of Martial Raysse, and Behzad's Persian miniatures - her main source of inspiration.
