What is my art about?

Perception is an illusion

As an artist, I find myself driven by a desire to express the unique understandings that reside within me. I approach this through a variety of mediums - whether it be painting, writing, or creating videos.


Through my art, I strive to evoke emotion and encourage viewers to contemplate the world I present to them. My creative impulses are rooted in a deep-seated need to share my perspective with others, to create something that resonates with people and sparks a deeper understanding of our shared human experience.


Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to create something that resonates with people on a deep and visceral level - to inspire them to feel and think in ways that they may not have before. My work is a reflection of my appreciation for different forms of human expression.

Storytelling

As a storyteller at heart, I find profound satisfaction in weaving the intricate threads of my personal experiences and those of my community into a captivating narrative. This innate desire to share stories serves as a powerful catalyst for connecting with others on a deeper level, fostering a sense of shared understanding and kinship.


My artistic endeavours revolve around a profound exploration of humanity, manifested through the creation of evocative portraits and figures.

Within the realm of my artistic expression, I seamlessly blend the boundaries between the tangible and the fantastical, breathing life into both real and imaginary characters. These characters traverse surrealistic environments, providing a visually rich backdrop that enhances the storytelling experience.



Humans

As a figure painter, I have found that painting humans allows me to see the beauty in humans. The process of creating art is not only aesthetic, but also an emotional and personal one. With each brushstroke, word or frame I am able to study the unique features and expressions of my subject and translate them onto the canvas, page or screen.

Through this process, I am able to connect with my subjects on a deeper level, gaining a greater understanding of their essence.

I believe art is a powerful way to connect with people and bring them together. By representing the truth of my subjects, I hope to inspire others to see the beauty of diversity in the world around them and appreciate the unique qualities that make the world special.

A collection of past paintings

Eve

Oil on Canvas

105 x 52 cm

2023

Self-portrait of an immigrant

Oil on Canvas

60 x 40 cm

2023

Window

Oil on Canvas

40 x 60 cm

2022

Schutzengel

Oil on Canvas

70 x 50 cm

2023

At night

Oil on Canvas

135 x 125 cm

2019

Portrait of my Love

Oil on Canvas

90 x 60 cm

2017

Recent posts

Berlin Sydney Art Show

BERLIN SYDNEY

2 – 31 May 2025

Local Edition Gallery, Sydney, Australia


Berlin Sydney is a group exhibition showcasing the work of 20 emerging and mid-career artists who live and create in Berlin — a city widely known as Europe’s contemporary art capital. Curated by Sydney-based artist Iman Irannejad, the exhibition emerged from his own experience as an artist-in-residence in Berlin, and brings the energy, complexity, and raw honesty of that scene to an Australian audience.


Through painting, photography, textile, and video works, Berlin Sydney offers a powerful glimpse into the creative lives of artists who are either from Berlin or have moved there from across the globe — in search of greater freedom, artistic growth, and connection. The featured artists come from countries including France, Spain, England, Canada, Iran, the United States, Australia, and beyond.


Berlin has long been a magnet for artists and creatives drawn to its openness, its underground spirit, and its willingness to embrace experimentation. It’s a city for dreamers — for those willing to step outside their comfort zones, face uncertainty, and carve out new ways of working and living in pursuit of artistic clarity and community. For many, moving to Berlin is not just a change of place but a commitment to deeper artistic risk and reinvention.


The works in this exhibition reflect a wide spectrum of perspectives, aesthetics, and lived experiences — each shaped by the unique pressures and freedoms that Berlin offers. Together, they form a mosaic of contemporary creative life in one of the world’s most influential art cities, translated here for an audience on the other side of the world.


Berlin Sydney aims to spark cross-cultural dialogue, celebrate independent artistic voices, and highlight the shared realities of making art across borders


Artists: Isabel Monti, Viki Berg, Oli H Scherer, Amirali Ghasemi, Hseniia Antipina, Jessica Tucker, Jana Jacob, Rolf Schulenburg, Alexandre Levi, Riikka Korpela, Marta Stepek, Sandra Riche, Oscar Ray, Iman Irannejad, Christian Niccoli, Parimah Avani, Maryam Majd, Gleb Bas, Sumiyo Nagai, Thomas Behling

Humans, Beings and Things in Between Group Art Show

Humans, Beings and Things in Between

Curator Iman Irannejad

29 November to 10 January 2025

Local Edition Gallery

 

The representation of humans in art has been a central theme throughout history, reflecting shifting beliefs about identity, spirituality, and existence. In ancient Greece, the human figure symbolised ideals of balance, rationality, and perfection, embodying humanist philosophies that celebrated potential and physicality. Across other traditions, such as the ritual masks of Africa or the spiritual murals of Mesoamerica, human depictions merged with divine or supernatural elements, serving as bridges to the unseen. During the Middle Ages, the symbolic and spiritual took precedence, with religious iconography portraying humans as vessels of divine purpose.


The Renaissance marked a pivotal return to humanist ideals, emphasising anatomy, individuality, and rationality. Globally, artistic traditions continued to evolve; Persian miniature paintings depicted poetic narratives, while Japanese woodblock prints captured fleeting human moments with intimate precision. By the modern era, representation fractured, embracing subjectivity and emotion. Surrealism, abstraction, and conceptual art reshaped the human figure, transforming it into a dreamlike, fluid symbol of inner worlds and collective experiences. In today’s contemporary context, the centrality of the human figure has eroded, replaced by beings, characters, and creatures that explore the blurred boundaries of reality and imagination.


The exhibition Humans, Beings, and Things in Between presents a collection of works by nine artists who explore this rich dialectic in unique ways. Paul Rhodes, a psychologist, draws from his deep understanding of modern emotions and inner thoughts, enriching his bold and evocative artistic practice. Ksenia Kirkbride expresses her emotions and experiences vividly and unfiltered, using symbolism and storytelling to craft deeply personal and resonant works. Miro Mackiewicz draws inspiration from everyday life, channelling his fascination with human hands and mundane moments to create surreal compositions that surprise both thought and vision.


Simin Vahedikamal and Jess Curran turn inward, unveiling their own beings in works that invite profound connection and reflection. Joel Peterson and ZART transport us into their dreamscapes, painting surreal scenes and portraits of imagined creatures that blur the lines between the familiar and the fantastical. Their creations feel like fragments of visions, pieced together to tell stories of the unconscious. Helya Jamali and Iman Irannejad explore the intricate paradoxes of humanity, shaped by their own lived experiences. Their works symbolically narrate emotions and conflicts, offering windows into the human condition.


Together, these artists navigate the evolving boundaries of human representation. Their works invite us to see humanity not as a fixed idea but as a spectrum of realities—humans, beings, and undefinable things in between.


Iman Irannejad

Curator

Claying Hands by Miro Mackiewicz, 12 - 30 July 2024

Throughout history, hands have symbolised powerful forces, from revolution to intimate connections, from conflict to love. Miro Mackiewicz has chosen the hand as his main motif for a very personal reason, yet it resonates universally, as hands represent a vital archetype in both our unconscious and everyday lives. Hands in Miro's work, as different forces, shape intriguing complexities and creatures. Miro Mackiewicz's delicate technique and meticulous attention to each curve, form, and colour make his art profound and exciting, introducing us to a bizarre yet familiar world.

Miro Mackiewicz is an artist whose journey began with a fascination for the human hand, leading him to establish Morphand Studio in 2008 as a sanctuary for his clay sculpting endeavours. With each piece, Miro transforms everyday experiences into captivating art, blending craftsmanship with profound artistic expression.

Driven by boundless curiosity and a relentless dedication to his craft, Miro approaches every project with infectious enthusiasm. His evolving style reflects a deep immersion in the present moment, offering viewers a glimpse into his personal reflections and the beauty of ordinary life.

Miro Mackiewicz's sculptures are not just art pieces but windows into his soul, inviting audiences to contemplate the intricacies of existence and the joy of creation itself. Through his work, Miro continues to push boundaries, revealing the timeless allure of human touch and the enduring power of artistic exploration.

About Iman

I began my journey with a profound passion for arthouse cinema. As I delved into the realms of cinema and media art, working as a video artist, my love for contemporary art and painting gradually took root and flourished.


Originally being from Iran, my cultural background and personal experiences have profoundly shaped my artwork. Themes such as immigration, women's rights, and freedom have become integral aspects of my artistic expression, adding depth and reflection to my creations.


In addition to painting, I have ventured into various forms of artistic expression, exploring realms such as short films, animation, and video art. Beyond the visual arts, I have also penned two novels in my native Persian language, along with several short stories published online. This diverse range of mediums allows me to convey my ideas and emotions in unique and compelling ways.


Since 2017, my work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions in Iran, Australia, and Germany. Notably, I had the opportunity to present a solo show at Tap Gallery in Sydney, providing a focused platform for my individual artistic expression. Last year, in 2023, I undertook a three-month residency in Berlin, Germany, at Takt Berlin, further refining my skills and vision as an artist.


My artistic exploration extends beyond physical exhibitions, inviting viewers to experience my work on www.mindplant.at, an interactive online art platform. Here, I continue to push the boundaries of artistic expression, creating a space where art and storytelling seamlessly converge.


As an emerging artist, my dedication lies in celebrating the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Through my work, I aim to invite viewers into a richly imaginative world, where each piece narrates a unique story. The diverse colour palette, signature to my paintings, is expressive rather than realistic, creating a visual language that speaks to the emotions and ideas embedded in each piece.


With a fervent passion for expressing my ideas and emotions through various forms of art, I eagerly anticipate the exciting opportunities and growth that lie ahead in my artistic journey. I invite you to explore the evolving narrative of my work, as it continues to unfold and captivate the imagination of those who encounter it.

Iman Irannejad 2023