Hadieh Shafie (Iran/USA) creates high and low-relief sculptural paintings made of paper, exploring the concept of fore-edge painting in relation to the book form. By subverting the relationship between image and text, she reimagines and reconfigures our understanding of books within the confines of ink and paper. This artistic interest is deeply rooted in her coming of age in post-revolutionary Iran, where her connection to books became a refuge from her experiences. Inscribed with favorite passages and drawings, these books transformed into personal talismans.
During her residency, Hadieh will focus on the power of objects and their significance as holders of memory. She plans to examine how items like a pomegranate evoke memories of her homeland, Iran, regardless of their actual origin. By investigating Middle Eastern objects—such as miniature paintings, textiles, and metalwork—she aims to confront more questions than answers, ultimately creating a new body of work in response.
Hadieh Shafie holds an MFA in Imaging and Digital Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Her work is included in several prestigious public collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Princeton Museum of Art, The Columbus Museum, Sheldon Museum of Art, The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, Art in Embassies (Dubai, UAE), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), The British Museum, and The Brooklyn Museum of Art.
Born in Iran, Hadieh is currently living and working in the U.S.
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Please note all artist-in-residence biographies are accurate at the time of their residency. For up-to-date bios please visit the artist’s website.