Saya Behnam

Persian-American artist Sayeh 'Saya' Behnam works combine two rich artistic heritages, of eastern painting traditions and western art philosophies. Behnam's use of Farsi, a traditional mode predominantly reserved for religious scripture most often by men, explores the potential of calligraphy as an art form, reinterpreting it through the eyes and hands of a female painter. Born and raised in Tehran, Behnam grew up in a time of political turmoil and transition in Iran. These experiences led her to start using art as a point of meditation and as a tool to cope with those changes and move beyond.

Central to her art is the gestural abstraction that she employs; much inspired by Abstract Expressionism and Chinese calligraphy as practiced by the Chinese literati. Behnam Incorporates natural elements of Persian origins, such as gold-leaf, spices, and florals such as borage, saffron, and hibiscus. Drawn to the organic elements she uses to create her vibrant paintings, Behnam activates all the senses, awakening a deep connection to the past and the feeling of being present and in the moment. By merging these three distinct cultures, she attempts to articulate the universality of art and the importance of acceptance and introspection while engaging in action – in Behnam's case, even the act of a painting a line on a canvas.

Behnam, who has a degree in Biology (Botany) from Tehran University, understands the unique biological makeup of the natural elements she utilizes, as well as the cultural significance behind them. Behaving differently than synthetic paints, the importance of time considerably weighs into her process of creating the various pigments and the various techniques of application. These organic elements create different shades of color based on how long they submerged in the water. The dripping colors, natural shapes and layered transparency in her work allow each layer to be appreciated uniquely. Stretching across the paper, immersed in the harmony and balance of the curves, Behnam accentuates Farsi script's tendency towards natural forms combined with the application of these organic materials.

Consumed by the importance of Time, Behnam's use of organic materials is a continuation of those ideas. There is a sense of unity and commonality between the medium and the viewer. Behnam repeats the words hasti (to be) and hastam (I am). These conjugations of "being" visually connect to the other elements in Behnam's work. Combined with Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Behnam captures the exaggerated features of Chinese composition and brushwork, with the organic qualities of the Persian language.

With over 25 years of experience, Saya Behnam's work explores the multi-faceted approach to exploring eastern and western cultures.