Plates

About Sameh Khalatbari

I was born in the capital city of Iran, Tehran in 1980. I started my art life at 10 and earned my Master of Fine Art in Illustration from Art and Architecture University of Tehran in 2012. I worked on a master thesis about “Effect of Folk Tale’s Fantasy on Illustration” which was rewarded an excellent acceptance by the jury.

I started working as a TA at the University of Art and Applied Science while yet being a student and after graduation, I was promoted to a lecturer. I held my first art show in Tehran in 1989 followed by more than 20 art shows in Iran, United Arab Emirates, Germany, and the United States.

Granted “Genius immigrant status” as an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability Artist” in 2013, I moved to the United States to start a new chapter in my life, and now am residing in San José, California.

Since early 2014 I started collaborating with various international artists, and in some instances have held collaborative exhibitions with them. “FACE2015” project, presented in Germany, Italy and the United States was the last of those.

The body of my artworks is established based on Symbolic Contemporary Surrealism. In almost all of my artworks, my critical point of view towards society, politics, and culture is reflected through the extensive implementation of known Persian symbols. These symbols have a deep root in rich Persian culture and literature. I try to rearrange symbols to the new conceptually layered image.

ONE-PERSON EXHIBITIONS

2023 “1401 N/m² Resistance,” Modernism Inc, San Francisco

2014 “Once upon a time,” Seyhoun Gallery, Los Angeles

2011 “Once upon a time,” Atashzad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2009 “Tulips,” Atashzad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2007 “Dubai summer surprises (DSS 2007),” Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2007 “Oil color painting,” Mani Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2005 Fine handworks of “Illumination” and “Flower and Bird,” Seyhoun Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran

Selected Group Exhibitions

2023 “Creative Women, Art in Honor of Women,” 245 Post St, San Francisco

2022 “Emotions 2022,” Gallerium Exhibition, International Online Group Show

2021 “SF-Blue,” Modernism West | Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

2017 “Generation plus,” Pars Equality Center, San José

2016 “Vision: An Artist’s Perspective,” Kaleid Art Gallery, San José

2016 “Mirror Holder of History,” Illustration Exhibition, Tehran Gallery, University of Tehran, College of Fine Art, Tehran, Iran

2015 “FACE2015,” New Media Art, The Internet of Nothing” at SOS Indiebio, San Francisco and Rose Art Room, Los Angeles

2015 “FACE2015,” New Media Art, The Internet of Nothing” at PELATOON Kunsthalle, Berlin, Germany

2015 “Illustration exhibition,” Pardis Art Gallery, Iranian Art Museum & Garden, Tehran, Iran

2015 “Once Upon Time 2,” Painting Exhibition, SOMAcentral, J.P. Morgan & Chase Building, San Francisco

2014 “FACE2014,” a.Muse Gallery, San Francisco

2013 “The 6th Tehran International Biannual of Illustration,” Saba Cultural-Art Complex, Tehran, Iran

2012 “Illustration Exhibition,” Saey Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran

2010 “The 3rd Fair International Festival of Visual Arts,” Saba Cultural-Art Complex, Tehran, Iran

2007 Behzad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2006 “The 6th Iranian Traditional Painting Biennial,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, Iran.

2002 “The 5th Iranian Traditional Painting Biennial,” Niavaran Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran

2000 “The 4th Iranian Traditional Painting Biennial,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, Iran