Change is challenging…

I knew I needed to make a change in my art practice for a while now. Change is always hard and sometimes you need that extra push to think outside the box, to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Well, that time for me has finally come. We are expecting our first child and I need to stay away from anything that is toxic. This is really hard in current art world as most mediums are somewhat toxic.

In addition, since my parents are banned to travel to the US due to the Muslim Ban, we had to make the hard choice of delivering our baby in Australia. Lots of changes at once but we are grateful to have the option at least. It could always be worse :)

I decided to go back to basics. Drawing, simple sketching, etc to bring back some ideas . I needed this change so much. It’s exciting, scary and challenging but I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Also since I knew I will be in Melbourne for few months, I decided to look for some classes, something fun to do with my mom (she is an amazing artist herself) and also learn something new. We signed up for a Japanese Ink Painting class. It was really fun to learn a new different technique. We both really enjoyed it and I am sure we can both bring this technique in some ways into our practices.

I also am now sketching for some ideas to do some sculptures. I really enjoyed sculpting when I was in Iran and I think it is something I can again start and see where it goes.

I have to see where this road takes me but hoping to be back to my studio soon with my little guy and create some new works. I will share some images once they get somewhere but for now here I am sharing some images of the class I took here in Melbourne. Not bad for the first time but of course needs more practice… Watch this space!

Art in Melbourne - Visit of The NGV

My last visit to Australia was short and sweet. Although the main reason was to spend some quality time with family, I could not resist going to view some art in Melbourne with my mom. National Gallery of Victoria is located in Melbourne - mostly known as the NGC - is an art museum founded in 1861 and is considered the oldest public art museum in Australia. The museum operates across two sites right opposite of each other: NGV International which is locate don St Kilda road in the heart of the Melbounr Art Precinct of Southbank and The Ian Potter Center which is located nearby Federation Square. I personally enjoyed both locations but if this is your first time in Melbourne you need to spend some time in Federation Square itself. It's just surrounded by amazing architectural designs and nice cafes. Within all the artworks I saw at the NGV, the one that really caught our attention was the interesting work by a Brazilian Artist, Rivane Neuenschwander's Watchword dated back to 2012. It invites audiences to select different clothing labels that feathers words adapted from handmade protest banners and slogans found on the intervened and pin them into an abstracted map of the world. The artist intends that the choice of words and how they are re-formed and re-enter the world, will manifest the audience's values and hopes.

I just love it when the artists try to interact with their audience through their art. This is how artists can send a powerful message to the world and truly share their art and thoughts.