Art Plus

Once Upon A Time

Name: Once Upon A Time
Brand: Art Plus
Price: 3600.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$3,600.00 USD

Artist: Art Plus
Certification of Authenticity: Apricus Art Collection
Signature:Signed by Artist

Title:

Once Upon A Time

Variant

Description

In ancient Persia, women enjoyed remarkable rights and status. Despite the challenges of the Qajar Period, I painted a portrait of a Qajar Princess, drawn to the luxury of the era's art style. The Princess, surrounded by vibrant goldfish, symbolizes women's significance and nurturing role. Post-1979 Islamic Revolution, strict rules challenged Iranian women's sense of belonging. We envision a future where women are respected, and empowered to make choices and contribute freely to society, finding their true sense of belonging.

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE

Quality and authenticity guaranteed.

AT YOUR SERVICE

24/7 communication from inquiry, to order and shipping, through installment. Our team is at your disposal.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Worldwide Shipping On All Orders. 21 Day Return On All Orders.

Artist Biography

Zari Etemadi's journey as an artist began unexpectedly within a career rooted in architecture. Despite her early passion for art, she pursued architecture at her parents' encouragement, excelling at the University of Tennessee’s School of Architecture, where she became its first female and international valedictorian. After graduating, Zari joined Jung/Brannen Associates in Boston in 1985, contributing to high-profile projects in Boston and later Dubai, UAE. A pivotal moment came in 1998 when she commissioned an artist to create a 2.5-meter painting for the Dubai Police Academy Officers Club. When the artist withdrew from the project, Zari took a leap of faith and completed the painting herself—marking the beginning of her professional art career.

Following the success of this piece, Zari was soon sought out by interior designers for large-scale commissioned works, prompting her full transition into freelance commercial art. Her client list quickly grew to include Dubai Festival City, Jumeira Rotana Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, TNT, XEROX, and various private establishments across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As a self-taught artist, Zari demonstrated remarkable versatility across styles and media, meeting the demands of a wide range of high-profile projects and private clients.

Beyond her commissioned work, Zari has developed an expansive personal portfolio that spans multiple series, styles, and media. Her art captures the emotional weight of Iran's cultural loss following the 1979 revolution—a sentiment deepened by her Iranian-American identity. Drawn to her roots, she explores ancient textures and symbols, such as the intricate details of traditional Iranian doors, while also addressing the political issues that have disrupted the lives of many Iranians.

Now based in Austin, Texas, Zari channels her nostalgia for her cultural past into works that explore themes of women's struggles, distorted realities, and cultural memory. Her art seeks to revive Iran’s romanticism, beauty, and poetry, addressing the resilience and the challenges of preserving identity in a complex world. Through her artwork, Zari invites audiences to connect with Iran's rich heritage and reflect on the political challenges that have impacted its image.

Artist Statement

The creation of my current art series, Distorted Reality, has been a deeply personal journey, exploring symbols of ancient Persian culture embedded in my memories. Through vivid colors, intricate patterns, and imagery from a distant past, I aim to capture a sense of place and identity that feels blurred and distorted by political forces.

Inspiration for this series began with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which celebrates renewal and the arrival of spring. Central to Nowruz is the Haft Sin table, featuring a goldfish bowl—a symbol of life and energy in Persian culture. Captivated by the goldfish’s graceful beauty and vibrant colors, I began reflecting on their world within the glass, a parallel to my feelings of confinement and disconnection from my heritage.

This theme grew more personal as I observed my pet goldfish, Aftab, and Mahtab—meaning "The Sun" and "Moonlight." Inspired by their presence, I began creating this series in acrylics, further exploring themes of confinement and perception. Watching their delicate movements made me ponder how they perceive the world beyond their glass—a reflection of my fragmented reality as an Iranian American grappling with the loss of cultural identity.

The series is also shaped by the profound impact of witnessing the erosion of Iranian culture since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Coupled with the ongoing struggles faced by Iranian women over the past forty-five years, this experience has left a deep emotional mark on my work. Through my art, I aim to preserve the vibrancy of Persian heritage, offering a tribute to its resilience amid cultural erasure.

With rich colors, symbolic patterns, and poetic writing, my art invites viewers to remember a time when Persian gardens flourished and birds sang freely—moments that endure not only as memories but as symbols of joy and hope. In a way, Distorted Reality is my attempt to honor the enduring beauty of Persian culture, celebrating its resilience and vitality in the face of change and loss.

Download Our App

Get the app on your preferred platform: