Laleh Ghavami - Artist Portfolio

Art Statement

My artistic practice is a dynamic exploration of identity, boundaries, and limitations, characterized by a diversity of materials and forms. Rooted in my transition from biophysics to fine art, my work bridges scientific precision with creative intuition. Through my art, I seek to visualize how engaging freely with materials can reveal or provide access to the subconscious aspects of identity, inviting a reevaluation of the boundaries we perceive and the limitations we impose upon ourselves and others.

Central to my work are immersive installations created with wire, thread, and other tactile materials. These three-dimensional drawings in space blur the lines between presence and absence, challenging viewers' perceptions of reality. By manipulating materials to create organic forms that interact with light and shadow, I reveal hidden dimensions within seemingly simple structures. My studio practice is a generative process of contemplative self-awareness and embodied reflection, embracing a multifaceted approach that includes performative elements and concurrent development of multiple pieces.

In addition to my installations, my jewelry practice serves as an extension of these conceptual explorations. I create figurative and sculptural jewelry using wax carving and metal casting, transforming personal histories and emotional narratives into wearable forms. My pieces transcend mere adornment, acting as intimate vessels of memory and connection. By repurposing materials and incorporating elements that hold sentimental value, I challenge traditional notions of preciousness and imbue discarded objects with new significance. In doing so, I highlight the tension between fragility and resilience, permanence and transformation.

As an immigrant artist, I infuse autoethnographic elements into my work, weaving personal narratives into universal themes. My installations and jewelry become spatial and wearable metaphors for the fluid yet resilient nature of identity, particularly exploring feminine strength and redemption. My process embraces both meticulous planning and serendipitous discovery, balancing control and chance, order and chaos. This approach reflects my fascination with ambiguity and ephemerality, themes that resonate throughout my body of work. Whether through large-scale installations or intimate jewelry pieces, I interrogate the gap between my intentionality as the maker and the viewer’s meaning-making process, fostering a nuanced dialogue on materiality, perception, and contemporary existence.