Multidisciplinary Artist
Education
- George Brown College, Toronto
Post Graduate Degree, College Teacher Training Program 2016
- Art University of Tehran, Iran
Master of Fine Arts degree (Painting), 1997
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Painting), 1994
- Azad University / Tehran, Northern Branch, Tehran, Iran
Bachelor of Arts degree (Translation), 1997
Highlights
- Master of Fine Arts degree in painting combined with expertise in drawing, new media, and video arts.
- Winner of the Grand Prize of the International Dhaka Biennial 2003-2004 for the Video Installation, “Rising up or falling down.”
- Short listed for the MOPCAP Prize (Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize), London, England, 2009
- Renown for social-political themes in different artistic projects in painting, drawing, video arts and new media
Highlights
- Master of Fine Arts degree in painting combined with expertise in drawing, new media, and video arts.
- Winner of the Grand Prize of the International Dhaka Biennial 2003-2004 for the Video Installation, “Rising up or falling down.”
- Short listed for the MOPCAP Prize (Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize), London, England, 2009
- Renown for social-political themes in different artistic projects in painting, drawing, video arts and new media
Grants, Prizes or Awards
- Two times successful candidate to receive a Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, 2015 and 2018
- Winner of the Grand Prize of the International Dhaka Biennial 2003-2004 for the Video Installation, “Rising up or falling down.”
- Short listed for the MOPCAP prize (Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize), 2009, London, England
Bibliography
Books
- Rethinking the Contemporary Art of Iran, An extensively illustrated survey of contemporary art in Iran, June 11, 2024.
- Rumi, a visual journey through the life and legacy of a sufi mystic , by Michael Chagnon Phd. Published by the Aga Khan Museum, 2023, Toronto, Canada.
- Okzidentalismen Projektionen und Reflexionen des Westens in Kunst, Ästhetik und Kultur, 2022
- Image? The power of the visual, Edited by Marika Sardar, Published and distributed by the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2022
- Visuell Identitäten, Künstlerische Selbstinszenierungen in der zeitgenössischen iranischen Videokunst, Julia Allerstorfer, [transcript] image, Universität Linz, 2018
- Kunstler Unterwegs Wege und Grenzen des Reinens, Harald Penchlar | Elisa Innerhorfer. [Hrsg], Nomos, 2018
- The Artist, The Censor, and The Nude A tale of morality and appropriation
Glenn Harcourt , Artwork: Pamela Joseph, Foreword: Francis M. Nauman,
First published in Los Angeles by DoppelHouse Press 2017 - Contemporary Iranian Art New Perspectives
Hamid Keshmirshekan PHD. . First published in Great Britain in 2013 by Saqi Books.
Saqi: 26 Westbourne Grove London W5 2Rh. www.saqibooks.co.uk
ISBN 978-0-86356-721-6. 2013. - Performing the Iranian State: Visual Culture and Representations of Iranian Identity
Staci Gem Scheiwiller. Performing arts. 260 pages. Anthem Press. Feb. 15 2013.
(Pages 183-185) - Only the morning bird treasures the flower garden, Editor: Mehraneh Atashi, Art Director: Aria Kasaei, Foreword: Sohrab Mohebbi, Published by REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/ CalArts Theater), Printed in South Korea, 2019
Researches
- Representing the unrepresentable. De/constructive strategies of re/presenting identity in contemporary Iranian Video art on example of Simin Keramati and Shahram Entekhabi
Julia Alerstrofer PHD. . Catholic theological university Linz Upper Austris. 2014.
Articles
- A Crooked Path through History: Iranian Exile Art, Shiva Balaghi
- Ellipse Magazineو The Amiss Denunciation by Parvin E’tesami, 2024
- چهرهها: سیمین کرامتی، «من یک هنرمند زن خاورمیانهای در تبعید نیستم، من یک هنرمندم»
- Harper’s Bazaar, November 2023
- What is the role of beauty in international contemporary art?, ArtForum International magazine, Article by Dr. Julia Allerstorfer, What is the role of beauty in international contemporary art?, Volume 286, German Language
- Kunst und Kirche, [magazine fur kritik, asthetik und religion], Post-Orientalismus?, 3.2019 / www.kunstundkirche.com
- Kristiche berichte 2.2019, [magazine] zeitschrift fur Kunst- und kulturwissenscheften, Jahrgang 47, Jonas Verlag, Article by Julia Allerstorfer
- 14 Iranian Artists Explore Just How Complex Immigration And Identity Can Be In a tumultuous time for American foreign policy, these artists offer nuanced views of what it means to be Iranian. And Article by: prievilla Frank, Feb. 2 2017, Huufington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/iranian-contemporary-artists_us_5891f136e4b0c90eff012b31
- Iran’s Hybrids unveiled Women in the Islamic Republic are minding East and West in their battle against the chador as a new exhibition of female artists show
An article by Katherine Butler. The Independant. www.independant.co.uk . 2009 - It’s all about change Snapshots from Tehran contemporary art scene
An article by Ingo Arend. Nafas Magazine. www.universes-in-universe.org . 2011 - Klein, Fein, Prazise Drei Ausstellungen in der Memmingen Kunsthalle
An article by Christofer Wiedmann in German news paper: KULTUR Donnerstag. 20 Februar 2014.Nr. 42 Suddeufsche Zeitung. 2014 - The Judge of Other’s Judgment a glance at the works of Simin Keramati An article by Behrang Samadzadegan. Art Tomorrow Contemporary Art Magazine. No. +3. Winter2011.
- Iran .com, Iranian art today, by Susann Wintch, Dec. 2009, Nafas Magazine. https://universes.art/en/nafas/articles/2006/irancom-iranian-art-today
- The united patchworks, An article on today’s Iranian art and Iranian artists working and living inside Iran and in other countries, by me Simin Keramati, Tirgan Magazine, Celebrating Iranian Arts and Culture in Canada, August 2015, Toronto
Teaching Experience
CanDo Academy, Toronto (Summer 2024 – Present)
Co-Founder, Educator, Board Member
- Lead creativity classes, including Video Art Studio (Intermediate) and Drawing Classes.
- Mentor individual students, helping them explore and refine their artistic creativity and activities.
- Organize and plan events, artist talks, and workshops aimed at fostering artistic growth and engagement within the community.
Toronto Arts Council, Toronto (February 2022 – Present)
Mentor (Visual Arts and Multidisciplinary Arts)
- Mentor emerging commercial artists, specializing in hand printing and digital painting, through a structured mentorship program.
- Provide guidance on artistic development, professional practices, and technical skill-building.
Canadian Contemporary School of Art (CCSA), Toronto (Fall 2019 – Fall 2020)
Art Instructor
- Taught figurative drawing, focusing on portraiture and the human body.
- Developed outcomes-based learning courses for drawing and painting at multiple levels, with online instruction.
- Facilitated courses on art fundamentals, media techniques (Acrylic, Oil, Watercolour, Pastel), and portfolio development.
Prussian Blue Art Studio, Toronto (Fall 2016 – 2019)
Art Instructor
- Instructed drawing and painting, focusing on live models and still life.
- Led courses on various media techniques, including acrylic, oil, and pastel.
- Introduced students to new media and video art practices, emphasizing the study of established artists.
York University, Toronto (Fall/Winter 2016-17)
Advisory Committee Member, MFA Program
- Served on the MFA Advisory Committee, offering critiques and guidance on student artworks.
- Collaborated with Judith Schwarz and Michel Daigneault in mentoring students.
George Brown College, Toronto (Winter 2016)
Teacher Mentee
- Assisted in the College Teacher Training Program at the School of Design.
- Taught Foundation Drawing II, focusing on figurative drawing and anatomical studies.
University of Toronto, Toronto (2015-2016)
Workshop Instructor
- Developed and led workshops on drawing and painting for teenage and homeless mothers, in collaboration with Clara Juando.
Azad University, Tehran (1998-2012)
Fine Arts Educator
- Taught a variety of painting and drawing courses for undergraduate students.
- Supervised 70 thesis projects for BA and MA students.
- Developed lesson plans and provided mentorship in research, thesis writing, and final projects.
