About me
About me:
As an artist, my life experiences have greatly influenced my creative path and perspective. Growing up in Iran during the Islamic revolution and the Iran-Iraq war, I witnessed firsthand the devastation and suffering caused by war, as well as the ceaseless oppression by the Iranian government, which has made me acutely sensitive to political and historical issues around the world. I have channeled these experiences into my art practice, which serves as a reflection of my life and my learning.
Most of my artwork is characterized by the use of black and red colours, which hold symbolic significance for me; these colours represent mourning, bloodshed, and trauma that have scarred my homeland and all other countries around the world. The history of Iran, the Middle Eastern struggles, and global historical issues are dominant concerns in my life. Despite the passage of time, these historical issues continue to inspire my current studio practice.
I began painting at the age of thirteen and have been teaching painting to children and teenagers since I was nineteen. In 1998, I started studying Iranian calligraphy at the Iran Calligraphers Association in Tehran, which proved to be a transformative experience in my artistic career. I fused calligraphy with my painting, creating a new art style of calligraphy-painting. Initially, my inspiration came from contemporary poets who explored themes of love, life, and the human experience. However, after working as a social practitioner in deprived regions of Iran, I developed an interest in poetry related to historical and political themes.
My perspective shifted dramatically after the execution of Kurdish teacher Farzad Kamangar by the Islamic regime; I also learned from my close friendship with Jalal Malaksha, a great Kurdish poet. These experiences deepened my understanding of life, politics, and my art, and I continue to draw inspiration from the voices of minorities, oppressed women and children, Black people, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities.
In addition to the challenges involved with immigrating to Canada, I have faced numerous other challenges that brought unique difficulties and losses. However, these experiences have also provided me with a new perspective and inspired me to look beyond my homeland’s borders. As a woman from a traditional, religious culture and as an immigrant, I feel a deep connection to the experiences of many people worldwide. I am committed to creating a new archive for future generations that sheds light on the many challenges that humanity has faced and the many triumphs people have achieved throughout history.
Through my art, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and a greater sense of empathy and compassion for those who have experienced similar journeys; I also wish to give voices to these struggles. My work is a reflection of my life journey as well as my search for meaning and purpose in my existence.
BAHAR DAEE
Visual Artist & Social Activist
bahardaee@gmail.com | www.bahardaee.com | Instagram: @bahar.daee
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Education
Master of Fine Arts, Visual Arts, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, United States
Bachelor of Fine Arts, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
Professional Development
Certificates on:
2024 Transitional Justice in Practice: Best Practices, Challenges, and Lessons Learned, Sant”Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
Principles of Transitional Justice, Sant”Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
2023 Monitoring, Documenting, and Reporting (MDR) Manual Revision, International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD), Canada
Legislative Amendment Drafting, EASPD, Belgium
2022 Displacement and Forced Migration: My Rights or the State’s Sovereignty, The Iranacademia Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities
The Middle East from History to Destiny, The Iranacademia Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities
Law for the Protection of the Rights o Persons with Disabilities, EASPD, Belgium
Women’s Economic Rights under Iran’s Constitution and its International Obligations, New Delhi, India
Obstacles to Women Entrepreneurs, New Delhi, India
Introduction to Women Entrepreneurs’ Economic Rights, New Delhi, India
2021 Litigation for Persons with Disabilities, EASPD, Belgium
Advocacy and Social Organization: Theories and Tools, The Iranacademia Institute for social Sciences & Humanities
Feminism, Gender and Sexuality, The Iranacademia Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities
Intersectional Approach to Ending Violence Against Women and LGBTGLA+
Women Making History, Harvard University
2019 Human rights beyond the headlines, the Iranacademia Institute for Social Science & Humanities
2017 Seeking Justice for children’s victims of violence in the legal and judicial structure of Iran
2015 Introduction to laws around domestic abuse, Khaneh Amn
Minorities & the Politics of Culture, Tavaana E. Learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society
Democracy & the Role of the Citizen, Tavaana E. Learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society
Domestic Violence, institute for population and social research, Mahidol University Thailand
2014 Health & Human Rights, Tavaana E. Learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society
2012 Declamation, Vahab Film School, Tehran, Iran
2010 Filmmaking workshop, New Wave Artistic Group, Toronto, ON, Canada
2004 Painting-Calligraphy, Educational Department of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
2003 Patina & Mixed Media, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
Advance level of Persian Calligraphy, Tehran Calligrapher Association, Tehran, Iran
Solo Exhibitions
2016 The Road That Must be Traveled, Hittite Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2005 Dance of Sense, Arta Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2004 Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, Shabnam Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2003 Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, Arasbaran Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran
2001 Four Seasons, Painting, Ebne-Sina Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran
2000 Four Seasons, Painting, Time Museum, Naghshe-Jahan Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Group Exhibitions
2024 Thesis Show, Roberts Gallery, Lesley University, Cambridge, United States
2023 MFA Multi-Institutional Pop-Up Mixer, Lesley University, Cambridge, United States
2017 Untitled, Painting, Hittite Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Untitled, Painting, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Richmond Hill, Canada
2012 Salon 6, Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2010 On Site, Transit Space Gallery, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
On Site, OCAD photography Department, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
2009 Untitled, Nowruz Celebration, Queens’s Park, Toronto, Canada
2008 Freedom, Parya Centre, Thornhill, Canada
Untitled, Ben Navaee Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Salon 2, Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2007 Blossom, Glow, Transcend, IMA Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Untitled, Iranian Contemporary Art, Niavaran Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran
Salon 1, Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Container, Transit Space Gallery, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
2006 Azure-Dome, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
2004 Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, Seyhoon Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, Richmond Hill Academy of Arts & Music, Richmond Hill, Canada
2001 Untitled, Watercolor, Ebne-Sina Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran
Untitled, Calligraphy, Negarestan-Khat, Tehran, Iran
Untitled, Calligraphy, Negarestan-Khat, Tehran, Iran
Untitled, Calligraphy, Negarestan-Khat, Tehran, Iran
Publications
The Road that Must be Traveled, an album of my Painting-Calligraphy, Oct 2016
Negarestan Magazine: Contemporary Artist, Lalla Essaydi, Vol 2, Issue 20, Nov 2013, p. 6, 7
Contemporary Artist, Cornelia Parker, Vol 2013, Issue 19, oct 2013, p. 6, 7
Contemporary Artist, Katharina Grosse, Vol 2, Issue 18, Sep 2013, p. 4, 5
Contemporary Artist, Yayoi Kusama, Vol 2, Issue 17, July 2013, p. 20, 21
Feminist Art, Vol 2, Issue 16, June 2013, p. 32, 33
Minimal Art, Vol 2, Issue 15, May 2013, p. 42
Political Art, Vol 2, Issue 14, April 2013, p. 48, 49
Environmental Art, Vol 2, Issue 13, March 2013, p. 52, 53
Public Art, Vol 2, Issue 12, Feb 2013, p. 44, 45
My Painting, Vol 2, Issue 12, Feb 2013, p. 7
Arts & Healing (2), Vol 1, Issue 11, Dec 2012, p. 38, 39
My Painting, Vol 1, Issue 11, Dec 2012, p. 7
Arts & Healing (1), Vol 1, Issue 10, Nov 2012, p. 30
Tandis Art Magazine: Contemporary Artist, Martin Blank, Issue 58, Sep 2005 p. 18
Contemporary Artist, Dale Chihuly, Issue 54, Aug 2005, p. 8
Non-Art Publications
Faratab Magazine, Girl’s suicide in Iran, Vol 1, Issue 1, Sep 2020, p. 110
Negarestan Magazine: Artists’ Letters, Vol 3, Issue 26, June 2014, p. 18, 19
Artists’ Letters & My Artwork, Vol 3, Issue 23, March 2014, p. 11
Artists’ Letters, Letters to Iran Darroudi, Vol 3, Issue 21, Jan 2014, p. 22, 23
Artists’ Letters, Letters to a friend, Vol 2, Issue 20, Nov 2013, p. 30
Artists’ Letters, Vol 2, Issue 19, Oct 2013, p. 34
Artists’ Letters, Vol 2, Issue 18, Sep 2013, p. 7
Artists’ Letters, Vol 2, Issue 17, July 2013, p. 9
Artists’ Letters & My Artwork, Vol 2, Issue 13, March 2013, p. 8
Shahrvand Magazine, Short Story, Green Hugs, Issue 1397, Aug 2012, p.53,54
Zane Rouz Magazine: Artists’ Letters, to my mother, Dec 2008, n.9, p. 8
Artists’ Letters, to contemporary Iranian Artist Iran Darroudi, Nov 2008, n. 8, p. 8
Artists’ Letters, to my father, Aug 2008, n. 5, p. 6
Awards and Accolades
2024 Nominated for the Dedalous award by Dedalous Foundation at Lesley University
2022 Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Lesley University, College of Art + Design, Cambridge, MA, United States
2016 By Ali Cyrus Ehssasi, Member of Parliament for Willowdale, to assist the underprivileged children of Kurdistan, Toronto, ON, Canada
2015 Selected for Scholarship of the Institute for Population and Social Research of Mahidol University, Thailand
2014 For Participation in the meetings of Khaneh Amn School
1995 Letter of Commendation for Receiving First Place of Painting Competition, Somayyeh High School, Tehran, Iran
Letter of Commendation for Receiving First place in Stage Designing, Somayyeh High School, Tehran, Iran
1994 Letter of Commendation for Receiving Second Place of Painting Competition, Sommayeh High School, Tehran, Iran
1993 Letter of Commendation for Receiving Second Place of Photography Competition, Sommayeh High School, Tehran, Iran
Bibliography
2016 Review about my Exhibition, Vol 26, n.1616, p.6,7
Darichehaye Robero (TV Program)
2012 Darichehaye Robero (TV Program), with Amir Mahim
2008 Javanan Magazine, review, Vol 22, n.1110, p.34
Zane-Rouz Magazine, interview with Bahman Goshtasbpour, Vol 1, n. 4, p.12,13
Shahrvand Newspaper, interview with Alijan Alijanpour, Vol 17, N. 1174, P.55,
2005 Shahrema weekly Magazine, about my exhibition by Sina Serkani, p.83
Iran Star weekly Magazine (Farsi), n. 592, p.22
Iran Javan Weekly Magazine (Farsi), n.572, p. 112, 113
2007 Shahrema Magazine, Blossom, Glow, Transcend, n. 157, p.113
2006 Shahrvand Magazine (in English), An Artist in Bloom, Vol 15, n. 1056, p. 6
2005 Shahrema Magazine, interview with Shahrema magazine, p.28, 29
Teaching Experiences
2005-2020 Painting classes for adults in Bahar Art Studio, Toronto, ON, Canada
1998-2003 Painting classes for children & adults in Bahar Art Studio, Tehran, Iran
2001-2003 Calligraphy classes, Shahir Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Public Speaking
2008 Lecture about Contemporary Iranian Artist, Iran Darroudi, Richmond Hill Public Library, Richmond Hill, Canada
2005 Lecture bout Contemporary Iranian artist Iran Darroudi, Iranian Cultural & Artistic Centre, Toronto, Canada
2004 Lecture on my art practice, Iranian Cultural & Artistic Centre, Toronto, Canada
Curatorial Projects
2018 The 5th Nowruz Festival, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, ON, Canada
2017 The 4th Nowruz Festival, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, ON, Canada
Related Experiences
2001-2003 Gabbeh Designing
*Gabbeh is a type of traditional handmade Persian Rug that is woven by Qashqai nomads and people of Zagros Mountains of Iran. The Gabbeh is usually woven by women.