Arghavan Khosravi is known for imagery that intimately centers the female perspective. Memories of her coming-of-age in Tehran—a metropolitan hub in Iran where liberal values and theocratic governance collide—manifest in the artist’s blending of styles and reference points. Equal parts real and surreal, Khosravi’s work places traditional Persian literary, architectural and decorative motifs in dialogue with objects such as Greco-Roman sculptural forms and contemporary articles of clothing, as a way of conveying ambiguous narratives that cross time and place. The artist received her BFA from Islamic Azad University in Tehran, Iran and holds MFA’s from the University of Tehran and the Rhode Island School of Design. Recent solo shows include The Witness, Kavi Gupta Gallery (Chicago, IL); Truth Be Told, Koenig Gallery, (Berlin, DE) and a show at the Currier Museum of Art (Manchester, NH).
The Glass Box is inspired by the contradictions that can come to define femininity—beauty and discomfort, creation and pain. Khosravi’s elegant subject has all of the makings of a woman of comfort—technicolor, duochrome fabric draped down her back, and a wistful exposed shoulder. Yet, she remains restricted with her head entombed in a glass box that at first glance would appear to be a translucent veil or fascinator. Stifled and suffocated in the water, the work explores the duality of womanhood through this compelling composition. The artist has hand-embellished 15 prints in the edition with airbrushed details, making each print a unique work.
Arghavan Khosravi
The Glass Box, 2022
24 x 14.3 inches
Archival pigment print
Edition of 15
Hand-embellished, signed, and numbered by the artist
Edition of 50 with 5AP 1PP
Signed and numbered by the artist
“Working with ART FOR CHANGE to benefit a charitable organization of my choice has been such a meaningful experience to me both as an artist and as an Iranian. Iran is experiencing a severe economic crisis that has been affecting Iranian people for years. In the midst of a painful economic situation like this, it was critical to assist Iranian children who have their whole lives ahead of them and are unable to afford their education without assistance from this charity. Due to the fact that I was very particular about choosing a charity that is reputable and ensures that funds go to those in need.
ART FOR CHANGE will donate a portion of proceeds to the Child Foundation in support of the organizations Iranian Education Fund. As in all series, artists will receive 50% of net proceeds from print sales.
*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including new VAT fees.
*Unframed prints ship within 1-3 weeks.
*Framed prints ship within 3-6 weeks.
