We were lucky to catch up with Sameh Khalatbari recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sameh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Taking risks has never been my forte, but one particular leap stands out, altering the trajectory of my artistic career. Let me share the story of that pivotal risk. In 2022, amidst the “Woman Life Freedom” movement in Iran following the tragic death of a young woman arrested by the morality police, I found myself deeply affected. With my family still residing there, the turmoil hit close to home. Internet access was cut off, leaving us reliant on news broadcasts for updates. I recall spending endless hours glued to the TV, from the early hours of dawn, desperate for any shred of information. The stress weighed heavily on me, rendering me unable to focus on my art. In those moments of turmoil, I turned to my iPad, letting my emotions flow through furious strokes of the digital pen.
After witnessing months of relentless protests, with countless arrests and casualties, I returned to my studio with a newfound determination. The gravity of the situation lingered in my mind as I contemplated how to channel this oppression into my art. While surrealism had been my signature style and acrylic my preferred medium, I realized that this moment demanded something unconventional—much like the grassroots nature of the movement itself. There were no leaders, just ordinary people driven by a collective yearning for freedom. . I realized that my conventional surrealist style and acrylic medium no longer sufficed. As an artist, I felt compelled to echo their voices. Thus, I embarked on a journey to explore a new artistic style and medium, aligning with the raw authenticity of the struggle unfolding in Iran.
Amidst the chaos of remodeling, a seemingly mundane sight sparked an idea within me. Watching workers meticulously use string to ensure the tiles were perfectly aligned, I realized the potential of this humble material. With newfound determination, I snatched a piece of string and hurried back to my studio. There, I embarked on a series of experiments, testing its behavior on canvas. To my delight, the results were promising. Venturing beyond my comfort zone of acrylic and oil colors, I embraced this uncharted territory with enthusiasm. The courage displayed by the women on the streets of Iran, boldly advocating for “Women, Life, Freedom,” inspired me to push my boundaries. Though abstract art had always intrigued me, I had hesitated to fully immerse myself in its realm. However, fueled by the bravery of those demanding change, I resolved to embrace this opportunity for artistic reinvention.
The creation of my inaugural piece was a laborious journey spanning three months. Accustomed to traditional mediums, I encountered numerous setbacks while grappling with natural fiber as my primary material. Determined to master the intricacies of abstraction, I delved into extensive research to refine my technique. Despite the challenges, perseverance yielded success, culminating in a piece that resonated with my artistic vision.
The unveiling of my creation at a group exhibition in San Francisco in March 2023 proved to be a pivotal moment. The discerning eye of Martin Muller, esteemed owner of one of the city’s premier art galleries, recognized the resonance of my work and extended an invitation for a solo showcase at his prestigious art gallery, Modernism Inc.
The feedback on the opening day, May 18, 2023, surpassed my expectations. People connected deeply with my artwork, and I witnessed many moved to tears in front of my pieces. The risks I took had paid off tremendously, reshaping my artistic journey. With one of my pieces gracing the halls of the esteemed de Young museum, I realized that the risk I had taken had not only altered my artistic trajectory but had also become a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and ignite change.
Sameh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Sameh Khalatbari, and my pronouns are She/Her/Hers. In Farsi, my name Sameh means “Promise.” I was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1980, just a couple of years after the revolution. It was a tough time because the Iran-Iraq war started when I was only two years old, and it lasted for eight long years. Growing up during the war was challenging, but despite the darkness and sadness of those times, I was lucky to be surrounded by the rich culture and beauty of my country. My journey as an artist began during those difficult nights when we often didn’t have electricity. With just a pencil and paper, I found a way to escape into the world of creativity, nurturing my passion for art from a young age.
When I was seven, my mom noticed I might have a talent for art, so she signed me up for a miniature art class, which is part of Iranian traditional painting. As a young child, I had to deal with a very strict art mentor who would tear up my artwork if it wasn’t good enough. I was too shy at the time to tell my mom that I didn’t like the class. After seven years of hard work, I finally spoke up and asked my mom to switch me to a public art class at the Ministry of Culture. After a year, I earned my associate degree in miniature and Iranian carpet design from the Ministry of Culture.
In June 2013 I obtained my master in Fine art from University of Art and architecture in Tehran. I would like to share a bit about how I gained admission to the university. In Iran, gaining entrance to university requires passing a highly challenging entrance exam. For art programs, the entrance exam has two parts. The first part evaluates your knowledge of art, while the second part is a drawing exam. In this portion, candidates are given a subject and are required to draw or paint it within about four hours. When I got my test result, I was initially failed, receiving a zero for the drawing section and they said they couldn’t find my drawing. I knew I had done it. After investigation and legal action, it turned out they had misplaced my drawing. After they found it, they recalculated my grade and I ranked 9th out of 11000 applicants. So, I began my classes three weeks later than scheduled.
After earning my Master’s in Fine Art in 2013, I was granted a genius visa as an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability Artist” and moved to the United States. I landed in the Bay Area of California in July 2013. One of the reasons I chose the Bay Area was because a childhood friend was living in San Jose, and I stayed with her to ease the transition into this new chapter of my life. I currently live in San Ramon, located on the east side of the Bay. My Husband and I moved into our new home here in June 2022. It’s our first home together and we’ve filled it with love.
I’ve been fortunate to exhibit my work in over 30 art shows worldwide, each offering something unique to my artistic journey. When I arrived in the US, the art scene was entirely unfamiliar to me, marking a significant adjustment. I had to devote considerable effort to grasp the intricacies of how things operated. Last year marked a pivotal moment in my artistic career. I had the honor of collaborating with one of San Francisco’s premier art galleries, Modernism Inc., where I held two solo exhibitions. This opportunity represented a major advancement for me within the art market. Additionally, participating in the SF Fall show was an incredible experience. Moreover, last year, one of my artworks from “1401 N/m2 Resistance” was showcased at the de Young Museum—a momentous achievement as part of Salon2023 in this renowned San Francisco institution.
Regarding source of inspiration, As I said I grew up in the Middle East during a time of war, right after a revolution in Iran. These significant events naturally led me to develop a strong concern for social and political issues. Throughout my life, whether at home with my family, at work, or with friends, political and social problems were constantly on our minds and in our conversations. Even in social gatherings, these issues dominated our discussions. As a result, I pay close attention to these matters. In other words, my inspiration often comes from sociopolitical issues that resonate with people, including myself. I remember when I first started learning art, I had a mentor who shared a wise insight with me: “An artist is a mirror of their surroundings, and you should reflect them through your art using a creative language.” This advice deeply influenced my artistic journey. I strongly believe that even a line on the canvas should convey a message. As an artist, I feel responsible for narrating stories and conveying messages through my art.
Here are the links to both shows on the Modernism website:
https://www.modernisminc.com/exhibitions/Sameh_KHALATBARI–1401_N_m2_Resistance/
https://www.modernisminc.com/exhibitions/Sameh_KHALATBARI–Alienation/
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I find the most rewarding aspect of being an artist lies in the freedom to express oneself authentically, without the constraints of censorship or external pressures. As an artist, you are granted a vast canvas upon which to articulate your thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. This canvas serves as a sanctuary, a space where you can explore the depths of your creativity without the need to conform to societal norms or cater to the expectations of others.
Creativity, at its core, is about seeing the world through a different lens, interpreting reality in a manner that is uniquely your own. It allows you to transcend boundaries, challenge conventions, and provoke thought in ways that conventional communication often cannot. For me, this freedom of expression is particularly poignant, given my upbringing in a country where censorship stifled artistic expression and limited the scope of public discourse.
Growing up in such an environment instilled within me a fervent desire to address socio-political issues and advocate for change. As an artist, I have found solace in the fact that my chosen medium affords me the opportunity to engage with these issues head-on, without fear of retribution. Through my art, I can create a language that transcends barriers, reaching audiences on a visceral level and sparking meaningful conversations that might otherwise be silenced.
In essence, being an artist grants me the privilege of reclaiming my voice, of asserting my agency in a world that often seeks to silence dissent. It allows me to carve out a space where my truth can be spoken without reservation, where my vision can take flight without inhibition. In this sense, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is not merely the act of creation itself, but rather the profound sense of liberation that comes from knowing that, in my art, I am truly free.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In July 2013, I immigrated to the United States from Iran, a journey spanning 16,000 kilometers. Immigration entails more than just relocating; it necessitates leaving everything behind and starting anew. I made this decision after years of teaching at a university and upon graduating. Upon arrival, I left behind my family, friends, career, students, art, and culture to embrace a foreign land where even the language was unfamiliar, serving as the primary means of communication.
Struggling with homesickness and isolation, I embarked on the arduous journey of learning the basic tenets of survival, language, and culture. Everything felt alien, and initially, I resided in a cramped room at a friend’s house, devoid of the space I needed to pursue my passion for painting, which deeply affected me. It took years to acclimate to this new environment.
Navigating the unfamiliar terrain of the art market, I toiled relentlessly to carve a niche for myself. I began by connecting with local artists and gradually expanded my network, eventually securing a teaching position at a college—an accomplishment I cherish. However, even after a decade, each day presents new lessons, and I still perceive myself as a novice with much ground to cover.
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