Flags by Amir

F L A G S

A M I R

H .

S H E I K H V A N D

C O N T E N T S

FLAGS ABOUT BIOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS

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F L A G S

“Flags” is about that very sense of Identity or “Un-identity” that many of us experience as we attempt to locate ouselves within defined national groups and for those who are still trying to map their own identity in a complex world. Flags and other such indicators play a major role in keeping us divided along these lines of identity, and mosaic models of multicultural cities are intensifying this division. In this series of works, I have manipulated and played with the colours, symbols and signs of different flags. My intention is to challenge our mental representation of these symbols by metamorphosing, transforming and reshaping all that is engraved in our brains about their collective significance. How are we to negotiate our identities once these national boundaries have been undone? Well, I guess we could say that “we are human” and belong to the earth. Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain. If you have no sympathy for human pain, The name of human you cannot retain. A poem by Sa’adi. Native of Shiraz, Iran, (1195-1226). This multimedia installation contains 2 sets of three brooches, abstract interpretations of different countries flags and accompanied with video and sound. On the screen 3 individually run videos are representing flags at the Olympic medal ceremonies .2 side screens are made out of modified images taken from the brooches and the middle screen is made out of real countries flags .audio is also is a mix and modified to present a confusing and bogus feeling of national items.

Silver Stars

I Flags

10 X 15 X 1 CM

series

2012

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a i n g , P a i n t , Resin

Red-White-Blue 10 X 15 X 1 CM

I Flags

series

2012

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a i n g , P a i n t , Resin, Enamel

Golden Star

I Flags

series

2012

I Flags

series

2012

10 X 15 X 1 CM

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a t i n g , Paint, Resin

American

10 X 14 X 2.5 CM

Brass, Steel, Rubber Coating Paint, Enamel, Plexi Glass

Persian Bicycle Girl 20 X 25 X 2 CM

I Memories

series

2012

S i l v e r, L e a t h e r u n d e r p a d i n g , C o r d , A c r y l ic Paint, Paint, Enamel, Acetate Freshwater Pearl 1 0

Diaries

Memories series

20 X 25 X 2 CM

2012

S i l v e r, G o l d p l a t e d , L e a t h e r u n d e r p a d i n g , Cord, Paint 1 1

Iran

Flag series

5 X 15 X 2 CM

2011

Silver, Acrylic Paint, Paint Copper, steel, Enamel, Acetate, Resin

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Conflict

I Flags

series

2012

10 X 15 X 1 CM

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a t i n g , Paint, Resin

1 3

Red

Flag series

5 X 15 X 2 CM

2011

Silver, Acrylic Paint, Paint Copper, steel, Enamel, Acetate, Resin 1 4

I Flags

series

2012

10 X 15 X 1 CM

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a t i n g , Paint, Resin

1 5

Red

Flag series

5 X 15 X 2 CM

2011

Silver, Acrylic Paint, Paint Copper, steel, Enamel, Acetate, Resin

1 6

I Flags

series

2012

10 X 15 X 1 CM

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a t i n g , Paint, Resin

1 7

Red

Flag series

5 X 15 X 2 CM

2011

Silver, Acrylic Paint, Paint Copper, steel, Enamel, Acetate, Resin

1 8

I Flags

series

2012

10 X 15 X 1 CM

S i l v e r, S t e e l , R u b b e r C o a t i n g , Paint, Resin

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A b o u t

Sheikhvandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work incorporates both his social values and the perceptions of his surroundings. His works allude to the elements of the narrative, rather than telling the whole story allowing the spectators to fill in the details with their individual creativity and imagination. In addition to his academic studies, Sheikhvand acquired a self-taught education through observation, experience and a thirst for knowledge. His desire to learn drives him to always challenge and extend himself within the creative fields in which he works. His learning is a part of his artistic sensibility, as is the combining of media that he applies to his projects, in which he fearlessly incorporates sound, music, jewellery, video and photography. His use of materials and media has no limitations and they find a place in his works in many different forms. It is his interdisciplinary approach , his eclectic use of media and techniques within his conceptual art work that make him notable in his field. Sheikhvand honours the materials by letting them speak, and he manipulates them in ways that make it difficult to recognize their original source. It is an important aspect of his art that he knows each materialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential to contain and transport the meaning. His use of graphic renderings of Persian calligraphy and typography allow him to explore the boundaries of jewellery art and Persian poetry. He breaks up and connects these boundaies by incorporating a portion of a text or a poem and presents the characters of the alphabet as if they were the abstract composition of the painter. Geometric, often cubic forms, and grid systems mixed with organic shapes, solid colours and repetition are key features in his work. By expressing his ideas through industrial and non-conventional materials, Sheikhvand demonstrates his willingness to redefine the notion of beauty, worth and adornment. Sheikhvand creates one-off pieces for personal projects, most of his works loaded with social afairs, paradoxes, tradition and modernity they challenge the wearer to be their display case, he is inspired by contemporary fine artists like Marizio Catelan, Frank Stella, Charles Biederman also admires works of contemporart jewellers such as Christope Zelweger and Ted Noten.

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B i o g r a p h y

Born in Tehran, Amir Sheikhvand currently lives and works in Toronto. After completing his academic education in biology and graphic design, he went on to study jewellery and graduated from Tehranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gold Institute in 1994. He completed several apprenticeships with some of Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s masters in the field of malilekary-filigree work - and minakary-miniature enamelling. He is a pioneer in the field of teaching women the art of jewellery making in Iran. Sheikhvand resumed his practice in Canada in 1999 after several solo exhibits in Iranian galleries. Sheikhvand has executed numerous outstanding pieces of fine jewellery for one of the most prestigious design studios in Toronto. As an advisor he provides help to emerging craft artists at Harbourfront Centre and is an active mentor for students at George Brown College. He is a member of Society of North American Goldsmiths, Metal Arts Guild of Canada and Ontario Crafts Council board of directors. Sheikhvand received numerous awards for his practice in Contemporary Art Jewellery and his work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in both juried and invitational exhibitions at museums and galleries such as Design Exchange, Valery Art Gallery, McMaster Museum of Art, Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Ontario Crafts Council gallery, Arta gallery, Tehran Contemporary Museum of Art and Harbourfront Centre.

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Exhibitions -2013, Design san frontier, Juried exhibition, Design exchange, Toronto, ON. -2013, Wearable Structures, solo exhibition, Atalier rzlbd, Toronto, ON. -2011, Craft “11, juried exhibition, O.C.C Gallery, Toronto, ON. -2009, Craft “09, juried exhibition, O.C.C Gallery, Toronto ON. -2008, Nostalgia, Solo Exhibition, V-Mac Gallery, 401 Richmond Toronto. -2005, Movements, Solo Exhibition, Arta Gallery, Toronto distillery district -2004, Form & Concept, Solo Exhibition, Arta Gallery, Toronto distillery district -2003, Craft in the making, Toronto, O.C.C, Feb -April 2003 -2002, Shift”connection”, Harbor Front Center, Toronto, ON July - sep. -2001, Looking Forward, juried exhibition, 2001,Vallry Art Gallery,McMaster museum of art, Tom Thomson Art Gallery, -2000, iranian Craft revisited, Expo 2000 in Hannover Germany -1999, The Last Footprint In the 20th Century, solo exhibition -1999, Wearable Sculptures, Solo exhibition, Aug. 1999, Barg Art Gallery, Tehran -1999, Stones, by A.Sheikhvand & A. Kaveh, Bamdad Art Gallery, Tehran -1999, Tehran Precious Stone Expo, Tehran, Niavaran Art & Culture Center, Tehran -1998, Ethnic Jewellery, Solo exhibition, Bamdad Art Gallery, Tehran -1998, Contemporary Jewellery, Solo Exhibition, Bamdad Art Gallery, Tehran, Mar. 1998

Curatorial:

-2005, Rebirth, Harbor Front Center, Toronto, ON. -2014, Objectified Matter, Atelier Ascensuer, Toronto, ON.

Publications:

Tehran Times, October 1998 Looking Forward, OCC, 2000 Canadian Craft Magazine, 2000 Craft ’09 catalogue, 2009 Craft ’11 catalogue, 2011 Superstition, Zilberschmuck , 2012 Magzine, 2013

Teaching:

Persian filigree workshop, SNAG preconference workshop, George Brown College, Toronto, ON, 2013

Research Papers:

Persian filigree and contemporary jewellery, 2012 Minakari and contemporary jewellery, 2013 Design elements in persian Minakari and Craft, 2013

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