ARTIST STATEMENT
In my current studio practice, I suggest that our bodies, domestic spaces, and home countries function as three parallel homes on different levels. Seeing the parallels between the issues in these three levels makes the suffering of displacement tangible. In other words, I have a threefold goal: First, I am trying to explore what is going on behind the “closed doors” of domestic spaces. Second, I want to evoke the severe and ongoing brutality towards women within the borders of my country, Iran. Finally, I want to depict the traumas that a single body is going to suffer on an inter and intrapersonal level.
Crises make a stronger “we”. When we experience similar moments in life such as longing for our country in exile, or dealing with a pandemic, we are brought closer together and form the compassion to understand each other through the displacement and discomfort of the situation. Another way can be communication, especially through art, to go beyond the borders, not to underestimate other’s pain, and try to empathize with it. If we let them, many borders exist to divide us, and our minds have the potential to make more. I want to show there is not much difference but mostly similarities among humankind. My story, my hope, and my pain are that of a normal person, the same as any other human.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Shahrbanoo Hamzeh is a studio artist graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in painting this May from Illinois State University. Prior to this, she has gotten a master’s degree in Painting from Alzahra University. Her Undergrad degree was focused on Iranian Art and Culture from Kashan University.
Her research interests are mostly focused on human rights violations in her home country, Iran, especially towards women. She believes it is not easy to be an Iranian woman, not in Iran, nor anywhere else. Her homeland is facing a lot of problems and conflicts these days, that is why her works are focused on the ideas of home, home country, leaving, loss, safety, and longing.
© Shahrbanoo Hamzeh