Based in both Tehran and Dubai, Narges Soleimanzadeh is a renowned artist, curator, and educator who has made significant strides in the international art world
By Ana S. Gad
Born in 1983 in Tehran, Iran, and now based in both Tehran and Dubai, Narges Soleimanzadeh is a renowned artist, curator, and educator who has made significant strides in the international art world. As the founder and director of Sakoo Art School in Tehran, she has nurtured countless artists while also pushing the boundaries of her own work.
Education and Artistic Foundations
Narges holds two Bachelor’s degrees: one in Visual Arts (Graphics) from the University of Science and Culture in Tehran and another in Arts and Cultural Management from Sooreh Art University. Her solid educational background, combined with her passion for visual arts, laid the foundation for her prolific career. She also holds an International Professional Qualification Certificate in Visual Arts with a focus on Painting, further validating her expertise in the field.
A Global Art Curator and Innovator
As an artist who has been part of numerous international exhibitions, Narges’ curatorial work and artistic contributions have reached global audiences. She has organized exhibitions across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, showcasing not only her own talent but also promoting cultural exchanges through the arts.
One of her most significant accolades is the prestigious UAE Golden Visa, awarded in recognition of her contributions to the arts. This recognition is a testament to her growing influence in the UAE, where she has exhibited her work in prominent venues like the Dubai Art Hub Gallery and participated in the Dubai Art Festival.
Award-Winning Artistry and Global Recognition
Narges’ artistry has earned her a wealth of international awards and recognition. She has been a featured artist at numerous high-profile art festivals and biennales across Europe, North America, and Asia. Some of her most notable achievements include being selected for the London Art Biennale, winning the Antoinette Stevens Award for Best Painting at the 49th International Annual Exhibition in Canada, and earning the title of an “International Art Ambassador” in Argentina.
In addition to her awards, she has been a jury member for international art festivals, including the Italia in Arte Tour and various exhibitions in Dubai, further highlighting her expertise and leadership in the art world.
Bridging Cultures Through Art
Narges Soleimanzadeh’s art often explores themes of daily life, culture, and the human experience, as seen in her notable work “Magic is Hidden in Daily Life.” Her work bridges the cultural gap between Iran and the international art scene, as she often incorporates elements from her Iranian heritage into her contemporary pieces. Her involvement in projects such as the Italian “Colors for Peace” initiative, where she was named the ambassador for Iran, demonstrates her commitment to using art as a tool for peace and cross-cultural understanding.
Exhibitions and Beyond
Narges has participated in solo exhibitions in Tehran and Dubai and has been featured in group exhibitions across the globe, from Austria and Greece to Canada and the United States. Her works have been added to prestigious museum collections, such as the MIIT Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Turin, Italy, showcasing her talent on an international scale.
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Her contributions to art publications are extensive, with features in Gulf Today, Italia In Arte, and Juliet Art Magazine, among others. These publications not only celebrate her work but also offer insights into her creative process and her perspective on the art world.
With her career continuously on an upward trajectory, Narges Soleimanzadeh is a true visionary whose work resonates with both art enthusiasts and critics. Her influence as an artist, curator, and educator extends far beyond her home country, making her a prominent figure in the international art scene. Through her paintings, exhibitions, and leadership in the arts, Narges continues to inspire and shape the future of contemporary art.
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Ana S. Gad is a pen name of the Dubai-based, internationally acclaimed writer, scholar, journalist, editor and digital artist Dr. Ana Stjelja. In 2005 she graduated from the Faculty of Philology from the Turkish Language and Literature Department. In 2009 she earned a Master’s degree in Sufism. In 2012 she obtained her PhD in Serbian Literature (with the thesis on the life and work of one of the first Serbian women writers and world travelers Jelena J. Dimitrijevic). She is an award-winning poet, writer, translator, journalist, independent scientific researcher and editor. She published more than 30 books of different literary genres, and is the author of numerous research papers and essays on literature, feminism and diverse cultures (cultural heritage). She is also a digital artist (with special focus on the graphic design, digital collage art). She is the Editor-in-Chief of various online magazines: the Alia Mundi Magazine for Cultural Diversity, the Enheduana Online Literary Magazine, the Poetryzine, an online magazine for Poets and Poetry in English. She is also the founder and the editor of the Web Portal Eastern Pearl dedicated to the Eastern cultures, Sands and City Magazine, a Dubai-based online magazine on culture of the UAE and Gulf and Art&Act Magazine on art. In 2018 she founded Association Alia Mundi for Promoting Cultural Diversity. In July 2022, she successfully completed the Introduction to Psychology course at the American Yale University, where her lecturer was the university professor and world-famous (Canadian-American) psychologist Paul Bloom. Right now, she is a mentee of the Creative Spotlight Program supported by the British Council and the Thomson Foundation. She is a member of the Association of Writers of Serbia, the Association of Journalists of Serbia, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Europeana Pro.
Courtesy: Sands and City (Online Magazine – Dubai)
Photo courtesy: Instagram
