Fari Rahimi, Back to the Start

I am a contemporary sculptor using a range of media and technology. I’ve worked largely with glass and steel, but also have included processes like 3D printing and unexpected materials like hospital supplies in my pieces. The elemental significance of material drives my work. For instance, steel and glass represent the conflicting themes of oppression and empowerment from my feminist perspective. The contrast of these materials elicit opposing feelings of power and fragility from the viewer. In addition to materiality, community is also important to my work. I was in the first cohort of artists at the Cedars Union, a nonprofit arts incubator in Dallas. While I was there I met artists, curators, collectors and supporters, which led to collaborations and connections that are still going strong. In 2022-23, I co-founded a group called Woman Life Freedom, a collective of artists focused on showing solidarity with women of Iran. We had an exhibition at the Irving Arts Center, the Fort Worth Arts Center and Tin District Arts Gallery in 2023. Over 35 artists participated and the events were covered by media such as the Dallas Morning News, Glasstire, and NBC. Later in 2023, members of Woman Life Freedom gathered together to paint a mural on the side of Full City Rooster at 1810 S Akard St, Dallas. Being an Iranian woman is a challenging experience, and banding together has eased the feelings of loss and longing we share.