Ishtar (mesopotamia myth illustration) Painting

I am Sahar Khaleghi, originally from Iran, and currently live in London. I have always been fascinated by images and art and chose to study graphic design in high school and university. However, during my studies, I discovered my passion for illustration. As a result, I decided to specialize in this field and gained a Bachelor's and master’s degree at Iran universities. I have continued to update my skills, knowledge, and professional development with illustration, colorology, and specialized illustration design throughout my work. As a passionate mixed media artist, I am continually inspired to explore and combine a diverse range of materials, for example, (oil and acrylic, photomontage, etc.). In most cases, due to the delicate combination of different materials, it is not easy to identify the material used in my work. My interest in Eastern mythology, painting, and ancient history serves as inspiration reflected in my creative works, commissions for editorial illustration, and a series of published storybooks. I have had my artworks exhibited in many workshops and exhibitions worldwide, including in Germany, Turkey, Greece, and in China. In 2018, I won the Special Award in International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration in China, and recently, my works have been exhibited at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition. Also, my artworks have been published in some international magazines. As a female who has resided most of my life in Iran, I would like to use a combination of modern and historical references to open a new window of creativity, explaining and expressing the power and position of women across cultures through art.