More About Roshi
Roshanak Khalilian - February 2019, California
Identity. Who am I?
Am I living the legacy of my given identity? Or am I living the fiction of it? Or both?
These are the questions which kept bouncing into my head since long ago. And as some answers came, so did more questions.
I thus began to question the identity of the words we use to describe the limits of our identity.
When and by whom are first told something is accepted or not accepted? I like to take the chance and ask But Why? But How?
When are we told that something is correct or incorrect? I like to take the chance and ask But Why? But How?
When we are told this is reasonable and that is unreasonable! I like to ask But Why? But How?
Words make the worlds we live in, in accordance with certain beliefs and traditions. I would like to take the chance and experience the world before the words and traditions describe it.
I don't want to believe the words without knowing first-hand that they are true.
I would like to speak with the like-minded seekers, those who are looking for their true self that may be different from what they were taught to believe about themselves.
BeiBei Song,
Chief Creative Officer, Essinova Executive Educator and Coach, Stanford Business School.
A prominent name at worldwide solo and group exhibitions, Roshi Khalilian is a master of capturing emotions with abstract textures and vibrant colors. Embedded in them are cultural heritage from her native Iran, as well as a variety of lifestyles, languages, values and traditions of the many Middle-Eastern and European countries the artist has lived in or visited. What’s the most remarkable about her paintings, however, is her ability to not only understand and reflect the differences of these regions, but also to capture and convey common human traits and behaviors present across them.
This is precisely what Roshi brings to her new audience in Silicon Valley-exotic colors rarely seen in California, yet energy, intensity and passion that resonate. On display is the artist's latest body of work, created during her residency at Art Ventures exploring the subject of Identity. Although her very first visit to the area, the residency proved that she can be right at home here, with her feisty spirit and critical inquiries: “But Why? But How?...”
In a region of immigrants who carry diverse cultural identities from around the world but are drawn here by the opportunity to remake themselves for their own dreams and ideals, her exploration raises questions many can relate to. As an artist, wife and mother Roshi found particular resonance among the Valley’s professional women, seeking to discover more of the authentic selves beneath their complex and multi-layered identities at work and in life.
This is evidenced in the pieces made by a group of business leaders, in a self-identity workshop she co-led with me, inspired by the residency project.
In her Identity series Roshi once again skillfully portrays the duality of human experience – fear and courage, the light and the dark, unique personalities and universal emotions, our individuality and common connections – with bold colors and visual poetry.
Roshanak Khalilian – “Who Am I?” 2019
Who Am I? A Question of Identity Through Art
Roshanak Khalilian’s Art Exhibition Questions Life Through Her Art
Media Contact
Robert Burnie - San Fransisco
Atero Marketing Group 805-270-4808
robert@ateromarketinggroup.com
Menlo Park, CA, April 19th, 2019 – On April 15th, Art Ventures Gallery started displaying an artist that was in their art residency in Half Moon Bay, Roshanak (Roshi) Khalilian. Roshi is from Iran but lives in Switzerland. Highly educated and influenced by both past and recent artists, she is always in search for the creative influence all her surroundings can drive. Her work is breathtaking, simple yet driven. A natural description of her art from the artist herself is as simple as Abstract Expressionist. She loves larger scale canvases of exotic, vibrant yet subtle violets, teals, blues, reds, and greens with shimmers of precious metal - visual poetry reminiscent of Persia and 1001 nights. She regards her art as a peaceful space that drives self-reflection.
She drew inspiration from Half Moon Bay and the impact of the scenery with just one question – “Who Am I?” She said “Words make the worlds we live in, in accordance with certain beliefs and traditions. I would like to take the chance and experience the world before the words and traditions describe it. I don't want to believe the words without knowing first-hand that they are true.”
She continued about the art on display in the gallery, “With this collection, I would like to speak with the like-minded seekers, those who are looking for their true self that may be different from what they were taught to believe about themselves. Sohrab Sepehri, a Persian poet, said it best: who had just the right words for this part which I am very proud to sharing and repeating some of his priceless words and phrases on my abstract art which I have been working on during my artist residency with Venture Art Gallery in Half Moon Bay in Feb 2019.”
Influenced by the art of Salvador Dali at the age of 14, she realized that genius lies beyond the effort to understand why the artist portrayed that piece of art or what drove that artist to create it. Captured and intrigued by the abstracts of surrealism, she developed her own interpretation of mysticism and respect for those that have painted before.
When I asked her about the residency, she answered quickly “I can breathe. I feel free. I can take in the smells of the ocean, I can see the horizons, I just feel free to create.”
She wanted to impact her audience with a sense of identity and focus for the gathering of thought. She loves the impact of contemplation where you think but you’re not sure what you think of.
Exhibition on view from April 15 to May 22. Artist reception: Saturday, May 4, 4-7 pm
Special Event
WHO AM I? Self-discovery & Art: retreat | workshop
Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9am - 4pm, Art Ventures Studio, Half Moon Bay
Following rave reviews last time, it was offered, we are hosting again this intimate retreat in conjunction with Roshi Khalilian's residency and exhibition, a week after the Artist Reception.
Join BeiBei Song, Chief Creative Officer of Essinova, and the artist on an inner journey of self-discovery.
Uncover hidden strengths, embrace emotions and get in touch with neglected parts of yourself. Engage in interactive discussion, visual and playful explorations and hands-on art-making. Take home a painting you create, along with a fresh perspective.
See more information and register at: WHO AM I ? Self-discovery & Art: retreat | workshop.
Art Ventures Gallery is located at 888 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025