Self-Portrait: Contemporary Narratives

In an era where images blur the boundaries between reality and representation, the self-portrait is no longer merely a depiction of a face it has become a statement of identity, experience, and existence. This exhibition is the outcome of nine months of research, selection, and dialogue a journey aimed at reinterpreting the concept of “self” within the context of contemporary art. For me, this project was not just about curating artworks; it was an exploration of personal and collective narratives, confronting a fundamental question: When an artist looks into their own eyes, do they see the truth or a reflection of their fears and desires? This exhibition was realized at Sufi Gallery under the artistic direction of Siavash Sufinejad , the gallery’s founder, and in close collaboration with Sophia Tonekaboni as co-curator. I am deeply grateful to Majid Mollanorouzi and Kourosh Golenari for their insightful jury contributions, which enriched this experience immensely. A profound layer of the exhibition came through the psychoanalytic interpretation of the artworks by Dr. Hossein Khatibi, revealing hidden dimensions of “self” through the lens of self-portraiture. “Self-Portrait: Contemporary Narratives” is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new dialogue about identity, image, and the meaning of “self” in today’s turbulent world.