About Me
A Reflection on My Artistic Journey and Beyond
I'm Shahram Entekhabi, an artist, curator, and architect originally from Iran. Currently, I split my time between Berlin, Tehran, and various other places across Iran and Europe. Welcome to my homepage, where I invite you to delve into my life as an artist—a journey brimming with dreams, challenges, collaborations, revelations, and triumphs.
Born in Beroujerd and raised in Tehran, Iran, I've harbored a passion for art and creativity since a young age. After pursuing graphic design at the University of Tehran, I embarked on a journey to Italy to explore architecture and urbanism. My time spent in Perugia and Reggio Calabria immersed me in the captivating world of architecture.
In my artistic practice, I aim to break the boundaries that confine urban spaces to the practices and performances of the white, middle-class, heterosexual male. I express this concept through various forms of artistic expression, such as architecture, installation, and digital media. Through my work, I tackle society's prejudices and suspicions towards "the Other" and examine the constructed fear, paranoia, and stereotypes based on factors like color, religion, or ethnicity. Additionally, I delve into how people contribute to the marginalization and self-ghettoization of minority communities through perception, politics, propaganda, and control.
My focus is on shedding light on individuals who are often marginalized, made invisible, or forced into self-ghettoization within the urban domain. Migrant communities and their cultures, especially those from the Middle East and its diaspora, hold a particular fascination for me. The theme of visibility and invisibility is a recurring motif in my practice.
I've been fortunate to participate in several prestigious biennials and exhibitions worldwide, including the Havana Biennial, Guangzhou Triennial, Metropolis Biennale, and Busan Biennale. Moreover, my works can be found in public collections across the globe, such as the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein in Berlin, Centre d'art Nei Liicht in Dudelange, and the National Centre for Contemporary Arts in Moscow, just to name a few.
My journey as an artist has been a continuous pursuit of breaking barriers, challenging societal norms, and giving voice to the marginalized. I'm passionate about creating art that not only captivates the viewer but also sparks meaningful discussions and drives social change.
Collaboration has been a significant aspect of my artistic journey. I've had the honor of working alongside Asieh Salimian, a talented curator, with a shared mission to challenge the limitations of the Iranian art scene. Together, we strive to foster critical discourse, cultural exchange, and social relevance through curated exhibitions and projects. Through Factory TT, our initiative, we bridge cultural gaps, emphasizing transculturality in art that goes beyond borders and challenges existing narratives.
Throughout my artistic journey, I've had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed Dutch cultural theorist and video artist, Mieke Bal. This collaboration has pushed the boundaries of art, theory, and cultural analysis, opening new doors for my creativity.
