Sara Rahanjam Iran, b. 1984

Born and raised in Iran, Sara Rahanjam's practice emerges from the lived realities of women in Iran—realities circumscribed by cultural and traditional systems that have dictated the boundaries of freedom and expression. Through her work, she channels these experiences into a broader dialogue about the collective longing for transformation that defies contemporary Iranian society.

In her paintings, sculptures, performances, and writings, Rahanjam reflects the tension between endurance and rebellion. Each gesture—whether a brushstroke, a repositioning of figures, a line of text, or a composed sound—embodies both a protest and an act of reclamation. Rahanjam's work bears witness to limitations imposed upon women, and to reveal the strength, beauty, and intellect that persist in defiance of those constraints.

Engaging deeply with the perspectives, needs, and pains shared among her community, Rahanjam creates works that resonate with emotional intensity. Her practice operates as both mirror and megaphone.Through this interplay of personal narrative and collective consciousness, she transforms private struggle into public discourse. At once poetic and political, Rahanjam’s work balances the refinement of aesthetic inquiry with the force of advocacy. She aspires to inspire contemplation, evoke empathy, and catalyze change—transforming art into a vehicle for awakening. Through her practice, Rahanjam continues to advance a vision of cultural and social evolution rooted in the unwavering pursuit of equality.

Rahanjam has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Iran and internationally, with presentations at GRK Gallery in Paris; CAMA Gallery, Sales Gallery, Iranshahr Gallery, Negar Gallery, and Baroug Gallery in Tehran; and exhibitions in China addressing contemporary Iranian art. Her work has been included in major international biennials, including the 5th Beijing Biennial (China, 2012), the 2nd International Mediterranean Biennial (Split, Croatia, 2010), and multiple editions of the Sculpture Biennial for Urban Space in Tehran (2008, 2018).

She has received several awards recognizing her contributions to visual art, including first prize at the National Festival of Urban Space in Mashhad (2010), first prize at the 6th Visual Arts Festival in Shiraz, second prize at the 5th Visual Arts Festival in Shiraz, and third prize at the National Fine Arts Company Festival Imam Reza in Shiraz (2008). Rahanjam has also participated in international symposia, including the 4th Sand Sculpture Symposium in Tehran (2012) and the 2nd Sand Sculpture Symposium in Babolsar (2006).