"Grimace" Drawing

My art explores the intricate interplay between personal memories and nostalgia, capturing the essence of cherished moments while examining the contrast between our inner emotional landscapes and the external realities we navigate.

Drawing inspiration from the fluid, dance-like movements of the 'Cobra' artistic movement, I have sought to incorporate elements of both traditions into my work. Gradually, I merged the composition of symbolic elements with free-flowing gestures and movements, creating a dynamic interplay within my paintings.

This fusion has added a new layer of complexity to my art, forming a rhizomatic structure that continually evolves. While my pieces still feature familiar symbolic motifs—such as children's toys, merry-go-rounds, and animals—they are immersed in a whirlwind of lines and colors, imbuing them with vitality and energy. This free-floating composition serves as a bridge between the historical context of painting and contemporary expression.

Within my canvases, figures and visual elements drawn from my childhood, imagination, and cultural heritage engage in dialogue with the very materiality of painting itself. Spaces teem with life as figures dance across the surface, yet blank areas speak volumes, representing moments of silence or absence.

I empower my figures to soar in every sense of the word, adorning them with wings while allowing them to float amidst the dynamic composition that animates my canvases. Architectural forms intertwine with figures, blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces, infusing them with both rigidity and irregularity. Yet, amidst the swift strokes and vibrant hues, a palpable sensuality emerges, evoking themes of childhood, eros, and mortality—an ode to the power of color and emotion.
Through my art, I invite viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and discovery, where narratives unfold and emotions resonate with each brushstroke—a testament to the enduring vitality of the human spirit.

Elham Etemadi holds a Ph.D. in Visual Arts in France. She began her academic journey with an undergraduate degree in painting from the University of Art. She further pursued two Master of Arts degrees in Fine Art: the first awarded by the University of Art in 2008 and the second by the University of Strasbourg in 2011. Since 2005, Elham has actively participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Europe, America, and Asia.