The workshops will take place in a community center, involving participation of Afghanistani immigrants/refugees. These women whom Akram has a history of working with them, mostly illegally crossed the border between the two countries and became refugees in Iran. Consequently, they lack identity documents, and social activities are denied to them. Through these workshops, we will delve into and practice the concept of border crossing, living between two geographic locations, and the interplay between these two places. We will explore a wide range of sewing and embroidery techniques, drawing from the arts they typically learned from their mothers or grandparents during their childhood and adolescence in their home country. This will allow them to craft stories and memories about their lives in Iran and their homeland, shedding light on their everyday experiences in the context of political boundaries. In this workshop, the handmade artworks created by these women, perpetually influenced by macro-political decisions, will transform into a powerful means of expression.
References: Ahmadi Tavana., A. Our art room Saturdays, UNESCO Observatory Multi-Disciplinary Research in Arts, 8 (1), 1-19.
Coordinators
Akram Ahmadi Tavana is a professional author, curator, and art educator based in Iran. Her work centers around contemporary art, art history, and exploring the intersections between art and other fields of knowledge and disciplines. With an educational background in painting and visual studies, she has been teaching courses in the same field at the University of Science and Culture and Valiasr Technical College since 2012 to the present. In the realm of education, she focuses on empowering Afghanistani immigrant/refugee women residing in Iran through a range of art practices. She has facilitated numerous workshops and taught various classes in Mehr House NGO, with the aim of helping these women rediscover their often-overlooked potential and abilities in their new society. Her efforts are geared toward enabling them to harness their strengths and enhance their quality of life for themselves and their families.
Elly Yazdanpanah is a dynamic and professional scholar who adeptly merges the realms of artistic expression and education, driven by a passion for cultural exploration. Originally from Iran, she holds a Ph.D. in art education from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Design, followed by a Master of Arts in Fine Art Painting, demonstrating her commitment to experimentation, and gaining knowledge beyond disciplines and nationalities. Elly has made significant contributions to well-known art galleries in both Iran and Canada, venturing into the vibrant world of art galleries and curating and managing exhibitions. Elly's pioneering research focuses on walking practices in art museums and galleries, exploring the immersive nature of embodied experiences. Currently, she serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow (NFRF) at The University of British Columbia, where she continues to push the boundaries of art education and exploration. Contact