SMH: This doctor fled Iran 15 years ago. Now he’s using art to speak up

SMH: This doctor fled Iran 15 years ago. Now he’s using art to speak up

by Danielle Neely

By Angus Thomson

“I’m preparing for a show that I’ve been working towards for two years, but I’m carrying with me the grief and heartbreak and hurt of what I’m witnessing happening in my country,” he said. “I’m so supportive of [the protests] because I think it’s a movement of a minority – women. For the first time after 43 years [since the Iranian Revolution], we see these voices coming out of Iran.”

Tahayori fled persecution in Iran as a queer person and arrived in Australia in 2007 with degrees in medicine and photography.

He pursued a career in medicine first, and he still balances his work as a rehabilitation specialist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital while studying a Master of Fine Art. He abandoned photography after his camera was stolen not long after arriving in Australia, but a trip to Iran with his partner in 2014 helped him rediscover the cultural riches which fuelled his early creative endeavours.

Read the full article here.

Opening Night — ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’

Join us Thursday 13 February for the opening night of ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’, an exhibition that brings together three generations of queer artists who make and break language across the intersections of art, activism, poetry and performance; as part of Mardi Gras 2025.

Curated by Dr Liz Bradshaw, with work by artists Kika Kereru Baker, Daniel Browning, Sam Chan, Blake Griffiths, Frankie L.A, nikita lelu, r e a, Victoria Spence, Jake Starr, Ali Tahayori, Magic Young and Justine Youssef.

With special guests Swamp Daisies.

RSVP at link in the bio.

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r e a, ’GARI (language) (detail)’, 2024-25, courtesy and © the artist

Justine Youssef, ‘Somewhat Eternal (detail)’, 2023, installation view, ACE, Adelaide, 2024, three channel synchronised video, embroidered faux mink blankets, Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima) hydrosol, Damask Rose (Rosa x damascena) hydrosol, Lebanese Cedar (Cedrus libani) hydrosol, Blessed Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) hydrosol, silver charms, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Sam Roberts

Kika Baker, `Pendulum`, 2024, plaster, ink, copper, found plastic, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Kika Baker

Blake Griffiths, ’Inhibitive Thoughts; stripping of the bark (detail)’, 2020, eucalyptus dyed woollen blanket, cotton, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Document Photography

Jake Starr, `A Weak & Panicked Animal`, 2024, installation view, Syrup Contemporary, Sydney, 2024, digital video, 4K, screen, construction fence, child safety straps, aluminium bench, lego, power cords, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Damien Dillon

Frankie L.A, `Pieces of`, 2024, worn machine made Persian rug, house paint, burnt wood, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Frankie L.A

Jan 24

Opening Night — ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’ Join us Thursday 13 February for the opening night of ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’, an exhibition that brings together three generations of queer artists who make and break language across the intersections of art, activism, poetry and performance; as part of Mardi Gras 2025. Curated by Dr Liz Bradshaw, with work by artists Kika Kereru Baker, Daniel Browning, Sam Chan, Blake Griffiths, Frankie L.A, nikita lelu, r e a, Victoria Spence, Jake Starr, Ali Tahayori, Magic Young and Justine Youssef. With special guests Swamp Daisies. RSVP at link in the bio. — r e a, ’GARI (language) (detail)’, 2024-25, courtesy and © the artist Justine Youssef, ‘Somewhat Eternal (detail)’, 2023, installation view, ACE, Adelaide, 2024, three channel synchronised video, embroidered faux mink blankets, Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima) hydrosol, Damask Rose (Rosa x damascena) hydrosol, Lebanese Cedar (Cedrus libani) hydrosol, Blessed Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) hydrosol, silver charms, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Sam Roberts Kika Baker, 'Pendulum', 2024, plaster, ink, copper, found plastic, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Kika Baker Blake Griffiths, ’Inhibitive Thoughts; stripping of the bark (detail)’, 2020, eucalyptus dyed woollen blanket, cotton, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Document Photography Jake Starr, 'A Weak & Panicked Animal', 2024, installation view, Syrup Contemporary, Sydney, 2024, digital video, 4K, screen, construction fence, child safety straps, aluminium bench, lego, power cords, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Damien Dillon Frankie L.A, 'Pieces of', 2024, worn machine made Persian rug, house paint, burnt wood, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Frankie L.A

Don’t miss out! This is your last chance to apply for our BFA degree for 2025. Applications for our final round close Sunday 26 January.

Apply now at the link in bio.

Jan 23

Don’t miss out! This is your last chance to apply for our BFA degree for 2025. Applications for our final round close Sunday 26 January. Apply now at the link in bio.

Set your child on a creative path with Art Club Term 1 - Drawing.

They’ll spend Tuesday afternoons developing their skills in this drawing fundamentals program that covers still life, portraiture, and experimental drawing.

Learn more at the link in bio.

Jan 22

Set your child on a creative path with Art Club Term 1 - Drawing. They’ll spend Tuesday afternoons developing their skills in this drawing fundamentals program that covers still life, portraiture, and experimental drawing. Learn more at the link in bio.

We’re Hiring!

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Exhibitions Project Officer - Application Deadline Sunday 2 February

The Exhibitions Project Officer is a member of the NAS Galleries Curatorial Team and provides administrative and operational support to the National Art School’s Galleries exhibition programs. It has a focus on major Indigenous exhibition projects currently in development for the National Art School as well as touring programs. Please note this is part time, three day a week, fixed term contract until 19 December 2025.

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Digital Marketer - Application Deadline Sunday 2 February

The Digital Marketer plays an important role in coordinating the marketing and communication activities that drive degree recruitment, short course attendance, public program participation, exhibition promotion, brand positioning and alumni engagement. You will have a thorough understanding of marketing principles with a focus on digital media channels and e-communications.

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Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Jan 21

The National Art School is delighted to announce rising multi-disciplinary artist Anna Mould as the first ever winner of a prestigious international artist residency program, the Prudence MacLeod Prize, generously supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, located at Acme Fire Station Studios, London.

Learn more about the prize at the link in bio.

@annalouisemould
@acme.art

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Anna Mould, ‘The Damned, Tambaroora NSW’, 2023, machine embroidery and acrylic on canvas, 50 x 50 cm

Jan 14

The National Art School is delighted to announce rising multi-disciplinary artist Anna Mould as the first ever winner of a prestigious international artist residency program, the Prudence MacLeod Prize, generously supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, located at Acme Fire Station Studios, London. Learn more about the prize at the link in bio. @annalouisemould
@acme.art — Anna Mould, ‘The Damned, Tambaroora NSW’, 2023, machine embroidery and acrylic on canvas, 50 x 50 cm

Thank you for supporting the National Art School this year. We wish you a happy festive season.

Our closure dates are 24 December - 2 January. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the new year.

Dec 24

Thank you for supporting the National Art School this year. We wish you a happy festive season. Our closure dates are 24 December - 2 January. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the new year.