Azadeh Ghotbi was born and raised in Iran until the Revolution and lived between Europe and the US thereafter. She went to Brown University and Insead business school but gave up everything to follow her true calling, painting. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows in Paris & New York and auctioned at the Asia Society.

Greatest inspirations or influences?

Nature!  “Taking Shape” the series I will be exhibiting in NY this month is very much inspired by organic shapes, from very curvaceous cloud formations seen from below to very sharp jagged contours of land masses seen from above. The unusual and intense fusion of colors is also very nature-inspired. I once quickly glanced through a stunning nature photography book by Bernhard Edmaier called Earthsong which I bought from a museum shop in NY years back. I looked at the book again the other day for the first time in years after having completed over twenty paintings in this Taking Shape series and was stunned to see parallels between my work and the photos. See: http://azadehgallery.com/portfolios/series.php?id=13

Favorite galleries around the world?

I have yet to find a "favorite" one. I occasionally go to galleries and fairs but mostly enjoy walking through galleries when traveling to new cities. A noticeable number of artworks I've enjoyed seeing in the past were coincidently all from South Korean artists.

Favorite art websites/blogs?

• e-flux.com, kiptonart.com, and artnet.com

How does NY influence you as a person or in your work?

If it does, it's on a subconscious level.

Where would you most love to see your art work displayed?

In the homes of people who's taste I share, top galleries around the world like Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris, Gagosian amongst others in NY, White Cube in London, etc.... and if I may be so bold as to dream out loud, a few museums like MoMa and Tate Modern would be extraordinary!

Anything else you’d like to share with our audience?

I would like to invite your viewers to my next opening in New York on 9/16 at 75 Wall Street. If you can't make it to the opening, please note that the exhibit stays up until September 26th and can be visited Monday-Friday 11:00am-5:00pm & Saturday Noon-4:00pm. For more details please see http://azadehgallery.com/news/news_detail.php?id=21

From the "Taking Shape" series