Born in 1983, Homa Arkani is an Iranian artist whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, installation, and performance, delving into the intersections of personal identity, resistance, and poetic expression. Since her artistic debut in 2011 in Tehran, Arkani has experience of exhibiting her work across Iran and Europe. A central theme in Arkani’s work is the symbolic and material role of hair, which she transforms into a metaphor for her personal and social concerns. For Arkani, hair becomes both a language, embodying protection and reclamation.
Her artistic explorations are further enriched by a connection to her childhood experiences in Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. The mountains that frequently appear in her paintings stem from the memories of growing up amidst conflict, where the rugged landscapes offered a sense of protection and escape. Arkani also draws inspiration from Persian poetry, where hair is a recurring metaphor for longing, intimacy, and spiritual connection, as seen in the works of Hafez, Rumi and Khayam.
Her work is influenced by the surreal, allegorical narratives of Pieter Bruegel, Hieronymus Bosch, and René Magritte. Like Bruegel’s depictions of collective human experience, Bosch’s intricate allegories, and Magritte’s reimagining of reality, Arkani’s art creates dreamlike yet socially charged worlds.By integrating personal history with universal narratives, Arkani’s work speaks to the collective struggle in shaping the human experience. Her art challenges viewers to reflect on themes of identity and freedom.
CV
EDUCATION
2017, MA, Fine Arts, KASK school of arts, Ghent, Belgium
2006, BA, Graphic Design, Art & architecture university, Tehran, Iran
PAINTING SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Silent chants, Yeganeh gallery, Tehran, Iran
2023 Is it Eurus or Zephyrus? Duo exhibition with Sam Eggermont, Blanco, Ghent, Belgium
2021 A Circus on the Canal, Monastry of the Grauwzusters, University of Antwerp, Belgium
2019 Tangible Thoughts, Santo Artspace, Ghent, Belgium
2016 Where is my Ney?, Etemad gallery, Tehran, Iran
2013 Aesthetics of a Zebra, The Invisible Line gallery, London, England
2011 Share me, Mohsen gallery, Tehran, Iran
2007 Utopia, Seyhoun gallery, Tehran, Iran
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Kunst & Zwalm festival, Zwalm, Belgium
2023 Woman, life, freedom, Academy of fine arts Vienna, Austria
2023 Delen Art private show, Waterloo, Belgium
2023 Dreamy landscapes, Belgian gallery, Brussels, Belgium
2022 Dis(connected) Triennal, UPC, Duffel, Belgium
2022 The circus we are, Le Delta art centre, Namur, Belgium
2022 Sorry Not Sorry street art festival, Ghent, Belgium
2021 Pulcinella,CJK art centrum,Belgium
2020-2022 The Clown Spirit, Traveling exhibition,Ronny Van De Velde gallery, Belgian gallery, Galleria Mucciaccia
2019 Contemporary art museum of MACVAC, Valencia, Spain
2019 Kunst In Huis project, Antwerp, Belgium
2018 Komask, Royal Academy of Art, Antwerp, Belgium
2015 Performance, Boom gallery, Tehran, Iran
2014 Primio Combat, Museo di Storia Naturale – Museo Civico G.Fattori, Livorno, Italy
2013 Unexposed, traveling exhibition,European Parliament & Tour & Taxis, Belgium ,Athens, Warsaw
2012 Iranian Artists, Agoman institude, Lyon, France
2011 +me, Elahe gallery, Tehran, Iran
2010 Kitchen, Mohsen gallery, Tehran, Iran
2007 Iranian Artists, Mani gallery, Koln, Germany