Today we’d like to introduce you to Keywan Tafteh.
Hi Keywan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Though I was born in Austria, my family immigrated to the United States when I was only a few months old. We’ve been based in Los Angeles since 1996. LA is a city that thrives due to its diversity, and we were lucky enough to find both Russian and Iranian communities when first arriving. As immigrants, it means a lot to find others to help with all the hardships of moving to a country where you don’t know anyone.
At the start of the pandemic, I was living in San Diego, finishing up my Bachelor of Arts at the University of California San Diego. Though as my studies moved completely online, I decided instead of over-paying rent for an apartment, it would be wiser to move back home with my family in Los Angeles. It was then I started to look for my first art studio, what I consider the turning point in my art career. I’ve maintained a steady studio practice ever since, working out of Downtown LA.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As an emerging artist without gallery representation, I’ve worked hard to uphold my name. I reach out often to local art spaces in hopes of showcasing my work. Sometimes, this will lead to an exhibition. Though, galleries often only work with their own roster of artists, maintaining a strict exhibition schedule. So, for now, I must continue to build my repertoire until I find a gallery to represent my work. Many emerging artists have this struggle, where they find themselves in between art scenes, looking for a good fit for their work. I keep telling myself to enjoy the process and to be patient.
The practical aspects of an art career can be a lonely venture. For one, it is competitive to pursue a career in the arts, and sometimes seems like everyone fights for themselves. I’d like to see more groups of like-minded artists come together to tackle gatekeepers in the art world. Collectives where we showcase all our works. I’m trying to gather a group of artists to start this!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In recent years, I’ve been focusing on painting and drawing, yet I have a broad education in the arts. I spent a lot of time studying photography and digital media. Though personally, I feel most expressive in the medium of painting. It is a timeless media that still holds value despite all the AI and digital media trends right now. My work shifts between figuration and abstraction. I’ve always been interested in human anatomy, so gesture is one of my main inspirations. With each painting, I try to blend the distinctions of what makes a piece abstract, as figures slowly reveal themselves in my mark-making. Occasionally, letters and phrases will also appear in my work. I’m interested in the ways we use language to communicate and, even more so, how an immigrant like myself uses fragments of language. My Russian and Farsi are tattered in my mind, mainly filled with common phrases or saying my parents often recited. I use Russian and Persian words as conceptual identifiers in my work, and they may reflect on the title or theme of the paintings they are present in.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’m grateful for the support of my friends and family. Especially my partner, Sven Spieker, who has always supported my ventures and helps me think about my own work critically.
Contact Info:
- Website: keywantafteh.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/keywantafteh
Image Credits
@unaccountable6
Keywan Tafteh
