Congratulations to Saeideh Aghaei for earning her place as a Winner in the Boynes Monthly Art Award August 2024 Edition!

Who are you?

My name is Saeideh Aghaei, and I am an Iranian artist who has been passionate about painting since childhood. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue this passion early in life. After graduating from university with a degree in computer science, I enthusiastically began my artistic journey in 2014 under the mentorship of a highly skilled Iranian painter, Hamed Ataei. Over the course of 8 years, I dedicated myself to developing my skills in drawing and painting, eventually becoming a finalist in the international Real World competition in the United States. Following this achievement, I decided to further my studies at the prestigious Florence Academy in Italy, where I am currently pursuing my education.

What inspired you to utilize painting as a medium?

I have always felt that I see the world, humanity, and concepts such as human rights, wildlife, plants, and nature in a different way than those around me. However, I struggled to express these thoughts and feelings, as words never seemed to capture what was in my mind. Throughout the years, I never strayed far from a pencil and sketchbook, and in my moments of silence and solitude, I would always create sketches of my surroundings. Painting became my way to communicate what I could not put into words.

How would you describe your ARTwork?

As you can see from my work, I am passionate about the realism style, and in the future, I hope to create a unique blend of realism and contemporary art through my creativity.

Regarding the piece that was selected, it is a reflection of my experience during a period of migration. The style is realism, and each element in the painting symbolizes a different aspect of human existence and my personal journey. For example, the book represents the knowledge I carried with me, the pearl necklace symbolizes my limited wealth, and the white feather embodies freedom and liberation. The title of the piece is “Resurrection”, which signifies a new beginning and a revival, as I chose to start anew despite the hardships I faced. I believe I was able to convey the emotions I felt during the creation of this piece to the audience effectively.

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?

As I mentioned earlier, this piece was created during the time when I made the decision to migrate. During its creation, I found inspiration in a poem by an Iranian poet, which I often recited while painting. The poem speaks of spreading wings, breaking free from chains, and soaring over mountains, seas, and plains to reach boundless horizons. It deeply resonated with my personal situation at the time, as it symbolizes the need to break away from the limitations and restrictions of one’s homeland in order to pursue one's true passion.

At that moment in my life, I had been through many personal and family hardships. The message of “Resurrection” is that sometimes, we need to pack a suitcase filled with what defines us and start anew in a different place, rebuilding our lives based on what we believe in and what we hold dear.

Ultimately, the piece conveys the idea that an artist should not be confined by the borders of their environment or the limitations of their country. True artistic expression happens when an artist is free from any form of oppression or constraint and can create without limitations.

Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your winning work?

From a technical perspective, the initial idea was to create a still life. I began by gathering various objects and experimenting with different arrangements, taking several photos of the compositions. I played around with the positioning of the light, shadows, and even some elements until I achieved the desired result.

Once I was satisfied with the composition, I ordered a custom-made wooden frame and stretched fine-weave canvas over it. This piece is an oil painting on canvas. After preparing the surface, I started with a rough sketch to map out the placement of the elements, and then gradually worked on each part until the entire painting was complete. Since I also have an art page on Instagram, I shared some of the process through stories, and fortunately, I have preserved images of the creation process, which I’ve attached here.

What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?

One of the key elements that captivates my audience is the realism technique I use, where each component is meticulously rendered with the brush to appear lifelike. However, when viewers take a closer look, they can see the brushstrokes and realize it is, in fact, a painting. Beyond the technical aspects, my goal is to make the audience reflect on the elements within the painting. If they find themselves wondering why a candle is extinguished or what a letter might contain, then I have achieved my goal.

I aim to provoke thought in viewers, encouraging them to reflect on their own lives. People often forget that in order to save themselves from difficult situations, they must rely on their own strength. They need to grasp their own hand and realize that if things don’t work out today in one place, there is always the possibility of a new beginning somewhere else in the future.

Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?

I would like to talk about my first original piece titled “Relief”. It depicts a girl sitting in a corner, painting her nails for comfort. However, the significant detail is that she is wearing a headscarf, which symbolizes the geographical context of her life. While working on this piece, I faced a major challenge: it was my first time painting a hand, the texture of skin, veins, and the subtle variations in skin tones and textures.

I remember spending about three weeks trying to capture the details of the hand. After several attempts and guidance from my mentor, I finally learned the proper technique for painting the human body. This was one of the most difficult experiences I had in painting, but today, it has become one of the most enjoyable aspects of my work.

Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?

I would like to talk about two major milestones in my artistic career. The first was becoming a finalist in the ARC (Art Renewal Center) competition in the United States. Out of nearly 6,000 entries, two of my pieces made it to the finals. Since it was my first experience participating in an international competition, this achievement was incredibly rewarding for me.

The second milestone was when one of my works was purchased by a gallery owner in Singapore. This was a significant moment for me, as it represented the exchange of cultures and connections beyond borders. It is truly fulfilling to know that my work is displayed on the wall of a gallery in another country.

Can you give us the best piece of advice you have ever heard/received?

I once heard a painter say, "How fortunate we are to be painters, for even after our death, a part of us will still live on through our work." Whenever I reflect on my purpose in life and what I want to achieve or leave behind, I am reminded of this sentiment. It encourages me to live in such a way that my artwork will become my eternal spirit, continuing to exist long after I am gone.

As a winner, do you have any advice for artists who want to apply for awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?

I would like to offer advice to all artists, whether they are photographers, painters, designers, writers, or in any other field: As long as you create in isolation, no one will be able to discover you. You need to participate in international competitions and exhibitions to test yourself against the world. This will lead to your growth, spark creativity, and give you the courage to push boundaries. So, take advantage of these opportunities and make the most of them.

What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?

I am currently finishing a painting project for my first year at the Florence Academy. It has been an amazing experience, and I’ve created a realist painting with a modern twist. Since I haven’t presented it yet, I can’t reveal too many details, but I can say it has turned into a very exciting piece of art.

Looking ahead, as I mentioned earlier, I plan to use my skills in realism to create contemporary art. My goal is to produce work that the world hasn’t seen before, combining traditional techniques with modern ideas to push the boundaries of creativity.

What is your dream project or piece that you hope to accomplish?

My dream has always been to live as a painter without any other worries on my mind, to have a peaceful and safe space—perhaps a studio in another continent—where I can paint from morning until midnight, completely immersed in my art, unaffected by the outside world. I often imagine working on subjects that need to be executed on a grand scale, but achieving this requires a deep academic understanding, which I am currently studying. I hope that, during my lifetime, I will be able to bring these ideas and visions to life through my paintings.

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?

I would like to end my interview with this: My dear friends and fellow artists, I urge you to never stop creating, even in the hardest days of your life. Create, because this world is more beautiful with you and your art.

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