Biography
Parya Vatankhah
Born in Tehran, Iran. Lives and works in Paris, France.
Vatankhah is an Iranian multimedia artist based in Paris. She has served five years as an Art professor at the Art University in Tehran, Iran. Her works focus on women, especially Iranian women and the problems that they face in contemporary Iran, which includes violence and lack of freedom. Vatankhah explores the social paradoxes that Iranian women face outside Iran, in western societies with values based on the concept of freedom. Vatankhah believes that social paradoxes have been present in the lives of women all around the world, throughout history. She looks at the psychology and emotional behaviour of humans and she feels that women need to look within and connect with their inner selves. Vatankhah states: “I believe that there is no such thing as absolute truth; the truth is not to be found or observed. Under the smiling skin of anyone there may be a wondering and disturbed soul.” Vatankhah has participated in over 20 exhibitions. Most recent screenings of her videos include: group shows at Gallerie Alter Ago in Aix-En-Provence-France, Cologne OFF 2011: (Video Art in Global Context Nomadic Festival Project) at Arad Art Museum in Romania, and a solo show at the Queen Art Gallery in Toronto, Canada.
