Saya Behnam

Sayeh “Saya” Behnam is a visual artist with over 20 years of experience. She currently lives and works in her studio in Northern Virginia.
Statement:
I use Natural color and flowers for my work.
Tea and Saffron Series
“My breath is like a wind in nature and these stigmas go wherever they want…my canvas becomes the receiver of my breath of life…capturing it’s essence in a gentle spray of color and form”

Whereas Saya Benham’s “Gold Leaf” series is concerned with concepts of sacred geometry and material purity, the “Saffron, Tea, and Spice Series” goes into the essence and truth of who she is as a living being.

The artist uses such natural dry mediums as saffron, hibiscus, borage tea, henna, and coffee to create her colors. These dried herbs and spices are steeped in hot water until they create the tones that the artist wishes to use.
As Saya applies each color layer with Chinese brushes, a chemical interaction with the previous color layer occurs, creating further nuances of delicate tones. This process creates an element of uncertainty with all the possibilities of colors as they mix; yet the artist is in control as well.

“Only at that moment am I able to achieve a particular color…all is continually changing, base...

Certified programs, Corcoran School of Art, Washington DC
BS in Biology (Botany), Tehran University

Group and Solo Exhibitions:

2017 ( Oct) MPA Artfest, McLean Project for the Arts,
2017 (July) Solo show at Gallery B, Bethesda Urban Partnership, Maryland
2017 (May) Solo show at Artist's Proof Gallery, Washington DC
2017 (Jan) Strathmore Mansion, Maryland
2016 Art Expo NYC 2016, New York
2015 Art Basel, Miami
2015 The Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, Virginia
2015 Artist Proof Gallery, Washington DC
2015 Hill Center (solo show), Washington DC
2014 Artist Proof Gallery, Washington DC
2014 McLean Projects for the Arts (ArtFest), Virginia
2014 George Washington University, Washington DC
2014 Linus Gallery, Los Angeles
2013 AITV Gallery, Virginia
2013 Exhibit 9 Potomac (solo show), Maryland
2013 Exquisite Collective, Argentina
2012 Illustrator Club, Washington DC
2011 Illustrator Club, Washington DC
2004 Gallery 505, Washington DC
2003 Mitre Corporation (solo show), Virginia
2000 US Geological Survey Headquarters (solo show), Virginia
1999 Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
1999 George Washington University, Virginia
1998 Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
1998 University of the District of Columbia, Washington DC
Saya has extensive experience in digital design (see www.design-f...