Soheila Sokhanvari (b. 1964)

Sokhanvari is an artist whose practice explores memory, identity and cultural displacement through painting, drawing and installation. Trained initially in biochemistry before turning to fine art, Sokhanvari employs the traditional technique of egg tempera on calf vellum, painstakingly grinding her own pigments to create works that evoke the precision of illuminated manuscripts. Drawing on magic realism, symbolism and allegory, her work addresses political and social histories through metaphor, resisting fixed or authoritarian narratives.

For the exhibition, Sokhanvari presents four intimate portraits, displayed against a backdrop that echoes the luminous surfaces and symbolic richness of the paintings. Together, the works explore portraiture as a site of memory, resilience and cultural identity. Sokhanvari studied at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelsea College of Art and Design and Goldsmiths, University of London. Her installation Leave to Remain, comprising 35 expired passports stamped by the artist, is currently on view at Tate Britain (2025–27). She is represented by Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London and Berlin.