Farhad Nikfam is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22

Discovered by New American Paintings Magazine at the start of pandemic, Farhad’s paintings depict
the space where the artist united the objective reality and fantasies - whether it be his own design of a beer bottle he would prefer to drink from or of an armchair he would like to sit on, or fanciful scenarios where only portal for a mermaid to escape an apartment building could be a toilet bowl. Numerous plots embedded in each of the recent paintings are united by a common form - a shelf in a mobile phone store, a facade of a building, or a bouquet, but are autonomous per se.

Inspired by the freedom of primitivism, as well as by industrial design, he creates new forms of daily life - angular and naive at the same time. The eye-catching sharpness and directness of lines are combined with the straightforward childlike perception, love for bright colors and non-ergonomic technology objects from the 90s. In his own words, the artist should live life to the fullest to tell his own story.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

Despite painting intensively since childhood and being State Academy of Arts graduate, I started painting only some 5 years ago. The main reason for that was my OCD which I wanted to tame into the boundaries of art making process.

How would you describe your artistic approach?

I consider my style close to naive art although I am not a huge fan of naming or categorizing art to styles. If it is clear to viewer what was intended to express there is no need for names. I want my paintings to be received for ideas behind them not only their aesthetic characteristics.

And how about what inspires you?

I'm inspired by an imaginary borderless world with equal rights for anyone no matter one's skin color, gender identity or religion. I do believe in power of art in shifting changes in society and sparking minds for achieving this peaceful coexistence.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

Without mentioning everyday challenges like not being able to be displayed in my home country due to political messages in my works, on a global scale of course the biggest challenge is the time. Because when you get inspired by many things and situations everyday, especially using my hypertextual style, you should collect them in such a format that every statement should stay actual.

Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.

Actually most and main part of my art making process happens outdoors when I go for a walk to take a break from painting. I observe the surroundings and listen to hard-bop a lot. That is where I generate new ideas which I implicate the next day whether to my existing piece on which I'm working or keep them for the next one. So in my studio I do 4-5 hours of routine work while chilling with my wife.

Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?

Honestly, I'm not comfortable and I don't find interesting at the moment anything besides oils on canvas.

What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?

Not so long ago I've decided to get rid of all ideas which I kept as notes on my phone at once. I couldn't just ignore them because some of them were good but not quite good to dedicate a separate painting to each and besides that even if I did I have no room left were I could keep them all anyway. So this one would be my solo show in imaginary gallery made of glass with my unreleased paintings.

How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?

It feels like a major honor for me.

See more of Farhad’s work

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