MUNTHE ART MONDAY: Sahar Ghorishi 

Name: Sahar Ghorishi
Instagram: @sahar_ghorishi.x

Introduce yourself and what you do.

My name is Sahar Ghorishi and I am an Iranians artist based in London. I would consider myself as a multidisciplinary artist as I cover many areas of creativity. However, most of my work can be found in illustration, animation, painting and creative directing. My main two platforms cover these arts. I am the founder of Journey of/to Dawn and co- founder of Rise Beyond Beauty.

@journeyoftodawn
@risebeyondbeauty

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

Being a woman in my field is very powerful and very hard at the same time. However, it has allowed me to be apologetic about the art I create. I'm apologetic every time I make art about women. I’ve had comments where people have told me that I don’t create much art about men. However, I won’t force myself to create art about men when it does not feel right in that moment and time. Therefore, being a woman in my field has made me more unapologetic which I found much power in.

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so? 

One of my favourite female artists would have to be Laila Tarah who is an amazing artist also based in London. Her work makes me feel at peace. There is something about her minimalistic work as well as detail that makes the work feel so powerful. With regards to filmmakers and photographers I would have to say that my most recent favourite artist would be Sarah Bahbah who has also been a massive inspirational soul for my recent project with an amazing Jordanian woman called Noor.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a female artist?

Being a digital artist majority of the time and being an Iranian woman Is a beautiful thing, however, I have found out in this area of the art and digital world, that it is male dominated. This is prevalent with creative directing filming as well. When I’m working on big projects it’s usually very male dominated and there is a lack of female presence. However, I hope to show my community and the world that you can exist within a space that have had a history of male dominance and I hope that in the near future more females of colors and LGBTQI+ communities grow within these spaces.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork? 

Majority of my work is about politics, diaspora, and minority communities. Nevertheless, I feel a lot of emotion whilst creating my artwork. The one thing I would love for people to notice more, is the gravity and effect that the artwork holds. Therefore, I would love people to notice and feel more than anything how I was feeling when I was creating the artwork. I would like people to feel the gravity and heaviness of e.g., diaspora artwork which holds the feeling of being between two places but at the same time being at home with yourself. 

Each Monday, we bring you a new interview with a female artist. Follow along at MUNTHE ART MONDAY.