Azadeh Mehryar – Gillian McMillan — Rara Avis https://www.gillianmcmillan.com Fri, 15 Aug 2025 05:08:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Odyssey of the Rooted Self: Azadeh Mehryar https://www.gillianmcmillan.com/blog/2025/08/14/odyssey-of-the-rooted-self-azadeh-mehryar/ https://www.gillianmcmillan.com/blog/2025/08/14/odyssey-of-the-rooted-self-azadeh-mehryar/#comments Fri, 15 Aug 2025 05:04:54 +0000 https://www.gillianmcmillan.com/?p=16267

Port Moody’s current Ceramics Artist-in-Residence Azadah Mehryar’s year-end show opened at PoMoArts on Thursday July 17th. We enjoyed her presentation to TriCity Potters back in May and were looking forward to seeing the work she has selected for ‘Odyssey of the Rooted Self’. She and the other two artists currently featured in the galleries were interviewed at the opening by gallery manager Kate Feltren as a way of introducing us to them and learning about their work. As usual I found myself mainly studying the clay work and connecting with Azadeh’s ceramics fans. 

Azadeh and her very supportive husband.

At this point in writing this blog Alan and I were joined in our new townhouse by the family and the next day we left for our annual Vancouver Island holiday. Sorry Azadeh, but I just ran out of time! Now that we’ve returned I’d like to finish sharing photos taken at the PoMoArts Gallery opening before I tell you all about our big move!

Kate interviewing Azadeh, Kacey & Iva

The text above explains Azadeh’s intention as she put together the delicate pieces for this show, over the past year of her Ceramics Residency at PoMoArts. The geometric fragments, representing historical art and architecture, come together in elegant forms. They can be thought to depict the process of juggling many experiences while adjusting to life in Canada after leaving her very different home culture.

Where the Self is Still Forming
Where the I Resembles an Eagle
Roberto, Ceramics Manager Ysabella Choung and Azadeh
Where the Inside Burns and the Outside Remembers

Azadeh had also prepared a game which uses her geometric shapes, to allow gallery visitors to explore ways of making a new design from unexpected forms.

Game instructions
Where Geometry Speaks of Origin. 1 of 9 pcs

I enjoyed seeing the results of your year-long Residency research, Azadeh, and wish you much success as you pursue your career in Ceramics. 

The other two shows that opened that night display work made by this year’s recipients of the Kwi Am Choi scholarship. They are POST ANTHROPOCENE by Kacey Hughes, and HOME AND AWAY by Iva Staykova. 

The three shows can be seen in PoMoArts galleries until August 31st. You might make a point of checking them during this Sunday’s CAR FREE Day on St John street, 12pm – 5pm.

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