Darab Shabahang

About the Artist

Darab Shabahang has worked as a musician artist, graphic designer, webmaster,  journalist,  human rights activist and Persian music instructor, for more than 30 years in Iran, Canada and United States. He got his BSc.from Poona University -  India and continued his Master in Bedford college in London.  Shabahang continued his studies in Graphic design and web technology In Vancouver, British Colombia Institute of Technology and got his Associate Degree from BCIT.in 2002. Shabahang studied Arts and practiced under Hossein Sheykh, Aghdashloo, Amamehpich and Ruyin Pakbaz, among others, in Iran. In 1983. He established the Shabahang Art Studios in Tehran which would become hub of activity for Iranian artists and musicians. In 1996, Shabahang and his family emigrated to Vancouver, Canada in the hopes of providing greater opportunities to his daughters. contributing to the arts community as artist, director and juror for the North Vancouver Community Arts Council, and chair of the Visual Arts Committee of the West Vancouver Library. While in Vancouver,  he established Artpars Original Fine Arts and its partner organization, the Web Association of Canadian Artists.  During this time Mr. Shabahang performed several music concerts and curated several exhibitions including a project with the Society of Iranian Painters in Iran which was sponsored by the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts. He also has pursued his own interest and research on classical Persian painting, “Negargary,” traditional Persian music and visual journalism. In Vancouver, Shabahang continued his studies in web technology including web and graphic design in  British Colombia Institute of Technology and got his Associate Degree from BCIT.in 2002. Based on his education and years of experience Shabahang has worked as a Webmaster, Web Graphic Developer,  He curated several exhibitions including a project with the Society of Iranian Painters which was sponsored by the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts. He also has pursued his own interest and research in classical Persian painting, “negargary,” and traditional Persian music. He worked for Voice of America PNN (2008-2011) as a graphic artist and journalist. He is the Founder of Artpars ( Persian  music Art & design ),  Symourgh ( Persian News ) and PACC ( Persian Arts & Cultural Communities) . In America Shabahang held several art exhibitions under Persian Copper arts & Calligrapgy. He had held Painting project under Immigration. For more information visit: http://www.artpars.com/Portal/ARTPARS_Portal.html  

Artist's Statement

Persian Copper Art Art exhibition by Darab Shabahang March 11, 2017 3-7 pm Promenade Building- party room 5225 Pooks Hill Road Bethesda MD Darab’s Persian Copper Art Exhibition is followed by three similar exhibitions, held in December 2007, November 2010 and March 2012 Darab uses Copper sheets as a base for his work. In addition to applying oils and acrylic paint to the copper surface, he uses patina techniques to create a rusted effect, as well as applying heat to change the color of the copper to a darker tone, or he bring out multiple colors to create a rainbow effect. Expression through the use of this metallic surface is an aesthetic referred to as Persian Miniature. In persian miniature, specific color combinations of broken and pure colors are typically used which, artists such as Mattis, the french fauve artist, admired. The main challenge for Darab is to use these treatments to obtain a new and original visual expression. Persian Copper art also uses persian Calligraphy as a way to express inspirational messages some being political messages against dictatorship regime in Iran. Rather than being used as a sort of calligraphy, these poems are embraced as a way to support Iranians’ struggle for freedom. In his copper art, Darab has chosen poems from traditional Iranian poets such as Hafez, Khayam and Rumi, and contemporary Iranian poets such as Shamlu, Sepehri, and Forough. * For more information on Darab’s copper art, check out http://www.artpars.net/Persian_Copper_Art/Home.htm Darab Shabahang 2012-03-08