At first glance, my paintings read as purely abstract gestural works but beneath their surface lies a deeply personal and autobiographical narrative. An early life shaped by uprooting and exile was followed by gaining insightful experiences rebuilding a multi-facetted life between the US and Europe. Some of the key themes underpinning my body of work are questioning first appearances, revealing unseen layers and looking out for a multiplicity of perspectives.
My process is essentially based on movement and perspective. I lay my canvas flat on the floor, circle around it and paint from multiple angles. This choreography allows me to enter a state of deep awareness. It sharpens my sensitivity to what lies beyond the traditional framed view and allows me to create a work with subtle layers that reveal themselves through texture and transparency. The works are deliberately understated, and often in muted tones, requiring close attention to reveal their complex layering.
Whether through my paintings or more recent explorations in photography, my work aims to foster a deeper engagement with the deceptively simple yet indispensable act of looking. I aspire to encourage viewers to observe more actively, question what lies beneath and become more mindful.
Azadeh Ghotbi is a London-based Iranian-American painter and photographer. Her work has been exhibited in Europe (Basel, London, Frankfurt, Paris), the Middle East (Amman, Cairo, Dubai) and the United States (Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC).