Firouz FarmanFarmaian

Firouz Farman-Farmaian (b. 1973) is an Iranian-born multi-disciplinary artist and musician, with French-Swedish nationality, who lives between Athens and Paris. He studied at the Ecole Spéciale D’Architecture (ESA) and the ESAG Penninghen, both located in Paris.

Farman-Farmaian left Tehran for France, together with his family, to escape the Islamic Revolution. Related themes such as nomadism, identity and memories have remained at the heart of his diverse practice, which spans painting, print, sculpture and music. The importance he attaches to these themes are also evident in the title he chose for the production platform agency he co-founded, named We R The Nomads Agency. 

Steeped in the past, Farman-Farmaian’s work recalls Persia’s rich heritage and cultural legacy, from its folklore to the philosophical sphere. Movement and texture are hallmarks of his artworks, in which he immerses himself in the interplay between realism and abstraction, giving them a spontaneous and emotive energy. Farman-Farmaian has also become known for undertaking meticulous research of the required techniques and authentic handling of the tools associated with whichever medium he chooses to work with, resulting in beautifully crafted pieces.

Recently, this was in evidence in the ‘Gates of Turan’, a textile, pictorial, architectural and multi-sensory installation he created for the 59th Venice Biennale (2022) as Kyrgysztan’s representative. 

Farman-Farmaian’s work has featured in several solo shows worldwide over the years, including most recently: ‘Nomads of Persia’, an immersive exhibition and installation, which travelled from Cairo Citadel, where it formed part of ‘Something Else’ (2024) and Juncture Gallery, London (Frieze Week, 2024) to Salomon Arts Gallery, New York. Commenting on their website, Salomon described it as a show that “engaged with the endangered heritage of Persian tribal cultures disrupting established narratives from a position of exile in combination with the nomadic heritage of the artist’s fatherland, presented in multi-format form through textile, print, paint, video, sound, and AI-powered digital material.”

Farman-Farmaian’s earlier solo shows include: ‘Revolution’, Villa Sufia Space, Tehran (2021); ‘Banners of the Unbanished’, Théâtre Royal de Marrakech, 1-54 Art Fair Public Program (Jameel Prize Nominee), (2020); ‘Permanence of Trace’, We R the Nomads Agency, Space @50, Mayfair, London (2019); ‘Poetry of the Tribe’, Leonard Tourné Gallery & Salomon Arts Gallery Tribeca, New York (2018); ‘Naturescapes’, Syra Arts Gallery, Washington DC (2018); ‘Nomadic Displacement’, Marrakech Museum, Morocco (2017); ‘Strata’, Golan Rouzkhosh Gallery, Hamburg (2017); ‘Momentary Meditations’, Galeria Maior, Majorca, Spain (2016); ‘Retroprojection’, Marrakech Museum, Morocco (2016); ‘Blue Taxi to Paradise’, Nando Argüelles Art Project, Sotogrande, Spain (2015); ‘Waves’, Galerie Golan Rouzkhosh, Paris (2014); and ‘Junkspace’, Mews 42 Gallery London (2013).

Farman-Farmaian’s work has also featured in several group exhibitions, including, most recently: ‘Mana Decentralised’, Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, New Jersey (2019/2020); Art Marbella Fair, Nouvelle Vague Artspaces (2019); ‘If, So, What’, Silicon Valley Art Fair, Roya Khadjavi Projects, San Francisco (2018); ‘The (Un)draped Woman, Advocartsy, LACMA, Los Angeles (2017); ‘Memory-Future/Future-Memory, Shirin Gallery, Chelsea, New York (2016); ‘Remembering Tomorrow’, Magic of Persia Foundation, Niavaran Centre, Tehran/Jamm Art Gallery, Dubai (2016); ‘Persian Colours’, Shirin Gallery, Chelsea, New York (2016); Art Basel, Janet Rady Fine Arts Booth (2014); ‘Black Gold’, Shirin Gallery, Tehran (2014); and Prince Ali-Reza Pahlavi Fund Gala and Fundraiser - Christie’s Auction I Monaco (2013).

Farman-Farmaian’s work can be found in prestigious private collections worldwide and has been sold at high-profile auctions globally. Farman-Farmaian has also released several musical works over the years, comprising an extensive discography, some of which accompanied his installations, films and screenplays.