Reflections of Elegance by Zari Etemadi

Reflections of Elegance
Zari Etemadi
Acrylic On Canvas
30.875"h x 24.875"w x 1.375"d - framed
2021

In my artwork, Reflections of Elegance, I aim to evoke a sense of belonging by incorporating symbolic objects, colors, and patterns to tell intricate stories.

The red glass bird symbolizes a golden soul, drawing from mysticism and representing a spiritual journey of love and creation. As it reflects on the canvas, it signifies an inseparable connection to our cultural roots. Viewers see their reflections mirrored in the narrative, fostering a shared experience and belonging to a broader cultural tapestry.

My art merges stories of our past and present, inviting us to celebrate our collective heritage and reaffirm our place in the interconnected world.

Get to Know the Artist:
Zari Etemadi’s creative path began in architecture, a discipline her parents encouraged over her early passion for art. She graduated as the first female and international valedictorian from the University of Tennessee’s School of Architecture, later joining Jung/Brannen Associates in Boston and contributing to landmark projects in Dubai, UAE.

Her transition into art came unexpectedly in 1998 when a commissioned artist withdrew from creating a large-scale work for the Dubai Police Academy Officers Club. Taking a leap of faith, Zari completed the 2.5-meter painting herself, her first exhibited piece, leading to numerous commissions for prestigious venues including Dubai Festival City, Jumeira Rotana Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, TNT, and XEROX, as well as private clients.

A self-taught artist, Zari works across styles and media, with gesture as a central thread. For her, gesture embodies both movement and the passage of time, each mark a record of memory, identity, and cultural inheritance. In recent years, her focus has turned to the cultural erosion of Iran after the 1979 revolution.

Now based in Austin, Texas, she merges ancient Persian textures, patterns, poetic symbolism, and political undercurrents to bridge past and present, beauty and loss, preserving the enduring spirit of her heritage.