BIO
Rezvan is an interdisciplinary artist in the field of new media, film, and drawing. She graduated with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media from Columbia College Chicago (CCC). Her experiences include film production, art administration, and curatorial. Her works have been featured internationally in several film festivals, exhibitions, and publications, including Ann Arbor Film Festival, Twisted Oyster Film Festival, C33 Gallery (CCC), Dastan’s Basement Gallery, and the ACS magazine.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My holistic, yet interdisciplinary practice is comprised of drawing, along with a variety of other methods such as installation, photography, video, and ceramics. In addition to viscerally worked drawings, my investigations include installation, video and the manipulation of light. The essence of my work is distilled from merging American Modern Abstraction, Abstract expressionism, Minimalism, etc, with influences of eastern abstract art, such as patterned tiles, carpets, etc, based on my own experience in Iranian and Chinese culture. The use of lighting in my work is inspired by the presence and effects of light in Iranian art, including the light and shadows found in architecture and references to light in literature. For me light is more than what we can see from the perceivable light of the sun or other sources of light. Light can function as a metaphor; knowledge is a light that brightens mind. I thus make use of various approaches to lighting within the drawing process (backlighting, lighting from beneath) as well as in my installations. Additionally, my studies of Daoism and Chinese paintings have an effect on the genesis and final presentation of my work. As Dao means “path”, I look to my art practice as a process. My studies about cultural subjects such as light and Daoism mostly result in abstract forms. The abstract elements in my work are generally relegated to simple lines and various textures. Acts of destruction-burning, dissolving and gouging- are evident in the drawings. Echoing entropy, the initial marks and textures are often destroyed in the making process. The use of light and acts of destruction are two main themes in my work. Using fire to affect my work represents this dichotomy.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
Obtained US Permanent Residency through NIW EB2 Category for exceptional ability artist. 2020
EDUCATION
MFA Interdisciplinary Arts and Media, Columbia College Chicago (CCC), Chicago, IL 2018
MA Drawing, Eastern Michigan University (EMU), Ypsilanti, MI 2015
ADMINISTRATIVE & EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE (SELECTED)
Online Gallery Manager/Curator- Office of the Vice President for the Arts, Stanford University 2020
Managed awarded grant Quarantine Gallery SU for exhibiting community drawings on Instagram (@quarantinegallery.su)
Design and Media Intern, Root Division, San Francisco, CA Fall 2018 -Apr 2019
Helped in running programs: exhibitions, open studios, auctions, and other related projects
Anderson Collection at Stanford University Fall 2018 – July 2019
Cooperated on running Second Sunday Educational programs for kids and families
Administrative Intern, Aftab Committee, Washington DC (Working from Chicago) 2018
Conducted research, interviews, administration, social media, and artist promotion
Graduate Assistant, Office of Multicultural Affair Latino Cultural Affairs, CCC 2017
Produced and managed cultural programs
Development Assistant, The Artist Hut, Chicago, IL 2017
Managed events, marketing, and promotion shows
Graduate Gallery Assistant, EMU 2015
Executed the opening and installation of 8 exhibitions in the EMU galleries
Exhibition Intern, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit, MI Summer 2014
Participated in the planning, preparation, and production of 5 exhibition
Library Assistant, Halle Library, EMU 2013-4
Ran circulation desk for material access, processed and shelved books
Director of Archival Section, Drawing House of Iran 2009-12
Initiated the Archival Section and managed the flow of information (photo, video, artwork, etc.) of other sections
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor, Swing Education, Bay Area, CA March 2019-Pres
Managed K-12 classrooms by guiding, helping, and teaching students.
Teacher Assistant, Chicago Film History, CCC Fall 2015 Initiated Chicago film history tours, Used online platforms to coordinate and evaluate student assignments in the “Big Chicago” program
Graduate Assistant, Ceramic Studio, EMU Fall 2014
Managed the material stock and coordinated the gaze and clay production process for 3 classes of 20 students
Graduate Assistant, Printmaking Studio, EMU Spring 2014
Handled two classes of seniors and juniors, Managed class equipment, Participated and gave feedback in critiques
EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOPS, RESIDENCIES
4 solo shows, 30+ group/juried exhibitions, workshops, and performances, 2 residencies in Iran and the USA