Nadere Hakim Elahi’s Visionary Craft: 5 Decades of Impact in Sculpture and Painting

Then in 1368, he learned pottery from Abdullah Mehri; in 1376, he started sculpting with Fayaz and continued with Shahabi. A film about his life titled Stone Dreams was screened at the 4th Fajr Visual Arts Festival. He Until now, he has used materials such as clay, stone, bronze, papier mache, etc. to make his sculptures, but in recent years he has focused most of his activities on the stone technique and believes that he prefers the stone technique to other sculpting techniques. In fact, he is one of the sculptors who has been continuously active in the field of stone, and various exhibitions of his works have been held until now. He is the founder of the Art Center Free School of Visual Arts in Rasht.

Artistic Style and Philosophy

Nadere mostly makes figurative sculptures concentrating on human states of being and expressions, which bring out what she believes is an intense psychological depth unmatched by any other form of artistic expression. Her works typically employ a merging of minimalism and abstraction, whereby details can be added only if they contribute to emotional or thematic depth.

The Refugee Collection

One work particularly stands out from this collection: “Refugee Collection,” displayed first at the Shadow Gallery. This set includes ten paintings inspired by Nadere’s contemplation on global conflicts’ huge suffering and displacement of countless people worldwide. These works examine complicated narratives that accompany refugee experiences of fear, violence, hope, and survival. Even though Nadere’s drawings show the harsh realities of war, they also suggest the invincible spirit as well as a chance for a fresh start.

As a mirror reflecting the despondent lives lived by many and as an aperture into the possibilities of renewal and change through others, her art in this collection serves two purposes. The collection highlights individuals’ emotional and physical journeys as they were forced to migrate in search of freedom and safer places to live for themselves and their children.

December 23, 2022 | 8:46 am