About me
About me:
As an artist, my life experiences have profoundly shaped 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 conflict, as well as the continuous oppression by the Iranian government. These experiences have made me deeply sensitive to political and historical issues across the world. I channel these realities into my artistic practice, which serves as both a reflection of my life and an extension of my learning.
My understanding of life, politics, and art continues to evolve, drawing inspiration from the voices of minorities, oppressed women and children, Black people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized communities. As a woman from a traditional, religious culture and as an immigrant, I feel a deep connection to the struggles and resilience of people around the world. Through my art, I strive to create a living archive for future generations — one that sheds light on the many challenges we have faced throughout history, particularly in Kurdistan.
BAHAR DAEE
Interdisciplinary Artist
bahardaee@gmail.com www.bahardaee.com Instagram: @bahar.daee
Education
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Visual Arts, Lesley University, Cambridge, USA
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
Group Exhibitions
2025 Roots/Wings, MASS MoCA Gallery, North Adams, USA
2024 Thesis Show, Roberts Gallery, Lesley University, Cambridge, USA
2023 MFA Multi-Institutional Pop-Up Mixer, Lesley University, Cambridge, USA
2017 Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, Hittite Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2017 Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, 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
2010 On Site, OCAD photography Department, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
2009 Untitled, Nowruz Celebration, Queens’s Park, Toronto, Canada
2008 Salon 2, Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2007 Blossom, Glow, Transcend, IMA Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2007 Untitled, Iranian Contemporary Art, Niavaran Cultural Centre, Tehran, Iran
2007 Salon 1, Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2006 Azure-Dome, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
2004 Untitled, Painting-Calligraphy, Seyhoon Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2001 Untitled, Calligraphy, Negarestan-Khat, 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, Naghshe-Jahan Gallery, Time Museum, Tehran, Iran
Awards and Accolades
2024 Nominated for the Dedalous award, Dedalous Foundation, Lesley University, Cambridge, USA
2022 Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Lesley University, College of Art + Design, Cambridge, USA
2016 Recognition by Ali Cyrus Ehssasi, Member of Parliament for Willowdale, for contributions to underprivileged children in Kurdistan, Toronto, Canada
2015 Selected for the Scholarship of the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Professional Development
Certificates on:
2025 Art Curating, College of Fine Arts at University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2024 Appreciation for Contribution to the Transitional Justice Toolkit, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
2024 Transitional Justice in Practice: Best Practices, Challenges, and Lessons Learned, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
2024 Principles of Transitional Justice, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
2022 Displacement and Forced Migration: My Rights or the State’s Sovereignty, The Iranacademia Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities
2022 The Middle East from History to Destiny, The Iranacademia Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities
2021 Feminism, Gender and Sexuality, The Iranacademia Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities
2021 Intersectional Approach to Ending Violence Against Women and LGBTGLA+, Men Against Honour-related Violence Network
2015 Domestic Violence, institute for population and social research, Mahidol University Thailand
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
2003 Advance level of Persian Calligraphy, Tehran Calligrapher Association, Tehran, Iran
Art Publications
2016 The Road That Must Be Traveled, a self-published printed album featuring my painting-calligraphy works.
2013 Contemporary Artist, Lalla Essaydi, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 20, Nov, p. 6-7
2013 Contemporary Artist, Cornelia Parker, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 19, Oct, p. 6-7
2013 Contemporary Artist, Katharina Grosse, Negarestan Magazine, Vol 2, Issue 18, Sep, p. 4-5
2013 Contemporary Artist, Yayoi Kusama, Negarestan Magazine, Vol 2, Issue 17, July, p. 20-21
2013 Feminist Art, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 16, June, p. 32-33
2013 Minimal Art, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 15, May, p. 42
2013 Political Art, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 14, April, p. 48-49
2013 Environmental Art, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 13, March, p. 52-53
2013 Public Art, Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 12, Feb, p. 44-45
2012 Arts & Healing (2), Negarestan Magazine, Vol. 1, Issue 11, Dec, p. 38-39
2012 Arts & Healing (1), Vol 1, Issue 10, Nov, p. 30
2005 Contemporary Artist, Martin Blank, Tandis Art Magazine, Issue 58, Sep, p. 18
2005 Contemporary Artist, Dale Chihuly, Tandis Art Magazine, Issue 54, Aug, p. 8
Teaching Experiences
2024-Present Painting classes and Encaustic workshops, Toronto, ON, Canada
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
2024 Artist talk, Lesley University, Cambridge, United States
2008 About Contemporary Iranian Artist, Iran Darroudi, Richmond Hill Public Library, Richmond Hill, Canada
2005 About Contemporary Iranian artist Iran Darroudi, Iranian Cultural & Artistic Centre, Toronto, Canada
2004 Lecture on 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