Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Nik Nejad is of Iranian heritage and has been living in the UAE since 1993. He studied visual art as a minor at York University while his background in art began from a very young age, receiving training in oil painting techniques from his father. 

An emerging talent, Nik has already achieved considerable recognition from his last group exhibition at Basement Gallery entitled Uncovered. Of late, Nejads work has moved to a large scale portraits on canvas, painting with highly constrained lines yet maintaining a free flowing aesthetic. The artist has turned his attention to the deconstruction beauty in a series of works focusing on the ways in which man, woman and gender ambiguity are perceived in eastern society.

Greatest inspirations/influences?

• Anyone who knows me knows that I am totally obsessed with Bjork, her courageous and experimental approach to her craft is truly inspiring.

• Music has always been very influential, I just pop in Drukqs by Aphex Twin and my creative juices start flowing, best album ever!

• I also love fashion and I feel this seeps into my work as well, I see the work of Alexander McQueen or Viktor & Rolf and I think to myself "these guys are the artistic geniuses of our generation".

• My recent work , mostly large scale portraits, often draws comparisons to Chuck Close, while on the surface there is also something very Pollock-esque about it as well. Not very surprising that these are two of my favorite painters.

Most interesting response to your work so far?

"Beautifully Diabolical"-this came from a dear friend of mine who knows me inside out, At first I wasn't sure if she was describing the painting or me.

Dream project for you would be?

I have recently been experimenting with video, love it . I would love to do a feature length film and perhaps collaborate with a of few my idols like Haneke or Von Trier. The movie would obviously star Bjork.

Favorite galleries around the world?

I don't have any. Every gallery has something different to offer, its great. There is so much variety out there.

Favorite websites/blogs?

• I have a big geeky side to me, I start my day with Gizmodo.

• When it comes to gossip I keep it close to home with lastniteindubai.

• Do I even need to mention Facebook? its totally status quo- in one word "CRACK"

Developments of the art industry in the Middle East?

I think its really exciting whats going on in the region at the moment. There is just so much talent that is bubbling beneath the surface here but doesnt have the platform to break out. At this years Art Dubai it was great to see so many European galleries looking to discover and harbor new talent in the region. I think in the next few years we will begin to see a lot more artists coming out of places like Saudi. Iranian artists have been achieving a great deal of success so far, but Im looking forward to see how they can come together to make a mark in the art world as a whole.....its time for a movement!

Anything else youd like to share with our audience?

I love Ninunina

( We love you Nik!)