A Joy for Living

A Joy for Living is a cornerstone of every Shagayeq Ahmadian piece. Her flamboyant, sparkling and animated figures are entwined with her existence, a passion she readily shares and distributes.

Her practice is a fundamental interplay between objects, figures, media and two and three dimensions; stitching together a subjective account of her lived experience, of the life of a young female artist in her homeland who, despite all limitations, manages to attract us and hold our attention. Her narrative structures feature the unpleasant and even the grotesque, where everyone is saved by their love for cuddly animals and by life itself; this is an abstract dreamscape.

Three-dimensional pieces appear to have been extracted from her paintings to accentuate her story. Light bulbs, birthday cakes, lovable animals are all her grimaces toward the difficulties of life. Grinning at the world and its complexities, Shaqayeq refuses to adhere to the norms of society. She crafts her own path and creates a festive atmosphere that instantly transfers the joy of living to others while covering up deep wounds.

Her honest approach to life and her art is pure and striking, an attitude that, amidst the current state of things, enchants and exhilarates. It is simply joyful to exist within her realm and to be a witness to her growth and her joie de vivre.