Art in the Community Presents Azadeh Mehryar | Wheel to Wonder | @azadeh.mehryar
Artist Statement:
My artistic practice explores the encounter, tensions, and contradictions of a cross cultural dialogue between the contemporary and Persian cultures. While my work seeks to represent the distinctive features of the two cultures, it exhibits an interweave, a twist, a harmonious dance of the two worlds’ most striking attributes. I am inclined to reflect this juxtaposition through ceramics, and my creations involve sculptural and functional vessels, sculptures, and installations/arrangements employing a variety of techniques.
While my work is informed by the whispers of Persian art blending with the rhythms of contemporary style, it is reflective of issues such as cultural identity, migration, diaspora, and hybridity. It as well demands a great deal of attention to detail, a range of skills and accuracy. Although my most favored building method is slab building, I am intrigued by various building techniques, and I often combine hand building and wheel throwing to create my works. As for the surface treatment, I am interested in exploring various techniques including carving, piercing, relief, and underglaze painting to inspire a sense of contemporary framework meeting Persian art and architecture. My artistic vision enables me to study, explore, create, and connect to my background culture as well as the culture that I chose to live in. This journey does not only contribute towards deepening my knowledge about myself and my roots, but it also promotes my connection to the outer world. My aim is to create work that features the juxtaposition of the two realms, and I strive for further exploring the techniques clay can be manipulated to manifest this connection.
Artist Bio:
Azadeh is an interdisciplinary artist and instructor specializing in ceramics, currently participating in the 2024-2025 Ceramic Artist in Residence program at PoMoArts. Her work, inspired by historical artifacts and the fusion of contemporary culture with Persian art, delves into themes of cultural hybridity.
Initially a web developer, Azadeh shifted her career path in 2018 to pursue her passion for art by enrolling to an art program at Langara College. In 2020, she transferred to Emily Carr University, where she continued her studies in Visual Arts with a focus on ceramics, graduating with honors and earning her BFA in 2023. Azadeh is the recipient of the Governor General’s Silver Medal for the highest academic achievement as well as an honorable mention for the Landon Mackenzie Graduation Award for Visual Arts upon her graduation in 2023. She was also awarded scholarships from the Northwest Ceramics Foundation and Brissenden in 2021.
Azadeh has previously attended the Deer Lake artist residency at the Shadbolt Center in Burnaby, BC, and the Medalta Artist Residency in Medicine Hat, AB, and has exhibited her work in galleries across Metro Vancouver.
Artwork Left to Right
Vessel #6_Soda-Fired Stoneware_6.5″ x 6.5″ x 6.5″
Vessel #12_Reduction Fired Stoneware_6.5″ x 6″ x 6″
Vessel #10_Soda-Fired Stoneware_5.5″ x 9.5″ x 7″