All cultures nurture myths and fantasies, with qualities
absent in one’s own culture. Sometimes welcomed,
sometimes shunned
we always need to remember that the “others” of some are the
“us” of others. Whether
recollections of beauty or evocations
of evil, cultural myths and fantasies lend themselves to images, which
enable artists such as myself, to create a bridge between societies and
a new appreciation for that which is different.
I have lived abroad for many years and have traveled
extensively though Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The
impact of this
wanderlust can be seen in my love for portraits of people representing
all corners of the world.
Historic architectural settings and different period
designs are both elements I like to use to embellish the settings in
which
I place the portrait sitters. For me a portrait has to serve more than one
purpose, it has to capture the essence
of the sitter, hold the viewers interest
by providing a short, intriguing narrative and be decorative through the use
of rich colors.
Enzie Shahmiri is the Founder& President of Southern California-American Society of Portrait Artists
and a member of the
following art organizations:
American Society of Portrait Artists
The Portrait Society of America
The California Art Club
Museum of Contemporary Iranian Artists
The Nellie Gail Art Association
The Mission Viejo Fine Art Society
The Laguna Niguel Art Association