I, Roshanak Irani, was born and raised in Iran and remain deeply proud of my Iranian heritage. I now live in London, which has become my second home and where my daughter has been raised. From time to time, I return to Iran with my husband and children to visit family and reconnect with my homeland. My cultural background has profoundly influenced my artistic imagination through Persian poetry, language, calligraphy and symbolism, while the resilience and perseverance of the Iranian people have inspired my personal and artistic journey.
My work has been exhibited across Asia, Europe, North America and South America, as well as in England. This exhibition marks a particularly meaningful occasion as my first exhibition in London, bringing together my artistic heritage, personal memories and contemporary experiences.
My paintings are influenced by the Saqqakhaneh School, Iranian calligraphy, symbolic motifs and the expressive possibilities of pen and ink. Persian script occupies a central place in my compositions, not merely as writing or decoration, but as an essential element of artistic expression. Sometimes words remain recognisable, while elsewhere they develop into abstract forms. Through this process, calligraphy becomes image, poetry becomes colour and memory finds expression through painting.
One of the most profound influences upon my artistic journey is my maternal grandmother, an Iranian poet whose character and poetry have inspired me throughout my life. According to family histories passed down through generations, this literary heritage extends to my great-grandmother, Ashraf Mishkati, granddaughter of Princess Shah Jahan Khanom, daughter of King Fath-Ali Shah Qajar (1772–1834). This family inheritance has strengthened my connection with poetry, artistic creativity and cultural memory. Through my paintings, I seek to reinterpret these traditions, giving inherited artistic forms new meaning within contemporary expression.
The paintings presented in this exhibition are particularly precious to me because my daughter assisted me in their creation. Her involvement has made these works a deeply personal and shared artistic experience, connecting mother and daughter through imagination, creativity and affection. They represent not only my individual artistic vision but also the memories and experiences we have created together.
Ultimately, my art explores the relationship between cultural inheritance, personal identity and the passage of memories from one generation to another. Through painting, poetry and calligraphy, I seek to create a visual language that connects the past with the present while expressing emotions and experiences that transcend words.
I warmly invite you to explore my paintings and discover the personal stories, artistic traditions and memories that have shaped my creative journey.