Born in Tehran, Azadeh Razaghdoot’s interest in the ‘visceral physicality of human form and emotion’ initially lead her to want to become a physician and surgeon, but she later went on to study painting at Tehran’s University of Art as the same interest drew her to becoming the artist she is today. Though her work is largely influenced by Western traditions, Azadeh’s own attitudes and ideologies are most integral to her art, her aesthetic an expression of emotions at the heart of humanity that invoke passion, instinctual impulses and desires.
Letters
“I use pencil in this series to create forms that lie somewhere in between letters and musical notes. I then reinforce them with multiple layers of paint to create a highly charged atmosphere created by the juxtaposition of the soft tones of the writing and the strong shades of red.”
Recipe for a Poem
“The idea behind the series is the similarity between the artist’s material and the poet’s. It is an exploration of how the poet uses words to create a poem and the artist uses materials and the surface of a canvas to make a painting.”
The Sick Rose
"The Sick Rose series alludes to the poetry of the 19th century such as the poetry of William Blake and Baudelaire’s ‘Les Fleurs Du Mal’. Both these works evoke a dark side of human nature using sensual and allegorical language, which is the sentiment I sought to express in my works. Blake’s line, “Thy bed of crimson joy” relates to my work in this way. The blood-red paint smeared and trickled on my canvas gives the effect of vigorously spattered life.”
Azadeh Razaghdoost: Recipe for a Poem is on view at Sophia Contemporary Gallery until Feb 10.