ARTIST STATEMENT
“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. 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. I am thinking about communication through material beyond text, language, generation, and even death to establish understanding, connecting, and experiencing. Material is an effective tool in communication, and it can carry meanings and messages.”
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