Azadeh Ghotbi: As Kismet Would Have It

By Bijan Sepehri

Sept. 9, 2010, New York, NY – I’m a big fan of contemporary art and try to keep up with Iranian artists, who are increasingly in the spotlight at top galleries and auction houses around the world. So, I was thrilled to find out that Azadeh Ghotbi was having another show in New York (Kismet, opens 9/16 @ Kipton Art Access Space, 75 Wall St., 6:30pm). Then, as kismet would have it, I ran into her in her studio. I’m captivated by her paintings—large, abstract pieces that navigate one’s senses between quiet serenity and forceful outbursts, marking a creative tension between polar opposites. Azadeh spent her early childhood in Iran, lived in Paris and the US, and graduated from Brown University & INSEAD. Here are a few more things I learned about her work, which along with a video portrait is on display at www.azadehgallery.com.

Q: What was your inspiration for the Taking Shape series you’re showing?
Nature. “Taking Shape” is very much inspired by natural shapes, from very curvaceous cloud formations seen from below to very sharp jagged contours of land masses seen from above.

Q: What is one of your favorite past exhibitions?
I really enjoyed a group exhibition in Paris last March, just after Nowruz, called Natura Femmina: 6 women, 6 artists, 6 inspirations born of nature. It showcased the work of women artists using complementary media.

Q: What’s next?
I am working on a new series called IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM  that’s about the deprivation of freedom among different populations and sections of society around the world, including Iran of course.

Q: Do you collect anything?
Memories of great trips from around the world.

Well, that’s all the conversation we had time for. If you are in New York, treat yourself to the opening reception on 9/16 from 6:30-9:00pm. The show stays up until 9/26, Mon-Fri 11:00am-5:00pm & Sat Noon-4:00pm.