Farzad Kohan: Love, Migration, Identity
15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Farzad Kohan

 

Self portraits with cassettes and tree, mixed media on Javanan pages, 13.5 x 10.5 inches, Farzad Kohan, 2022.

 

Farzad Kohan

 

Farzad Kohan’s sculptures and paintings explore themes such as love, migration and identity, and often incorporate appropriated media and found objects. Partially inspired by his personal history and surroundings, Kohan places an emphasis on form, allowing the successive stages of art making to become analogous to diasporic experience, as diverse, sometimes opposing, elements are sampled, brought together, and accumulated. These apparent stages are integral parts of each finalized work. Kohan’s formalistic process is revealed, for example, as he layers then strips abstract works through painting, collage, décollage, and sanding, creating built-up yet weathered surfaces that are at once chaotic and methodical. Allusions to the passage of time, gradual transformations, and hidden stories are found in the tactile details of his treated panels. 

Text has also been central to Kohan’s compositions, as he uses Farsi or Arabic script to add narrative elements. In “Love Letters,” a series of works on paper, he describes moments of longing and desire with poetic confessions that are written across the lower portion of his compositions. The artist’s verses correspond with the color schemes and textured surfaces of specific works, as abstraction is used to detail the different sensations of romantic love. With his most recent series of paintings, Kohan records the migration stories of others through excerpted texts or quotes that are written across the canvas in American typewriter font, as though creating an archival document. The forms of these untitled works are inspired by the very process of migration, and reflect the difficulties of assimilation with techniques that attempt to unify repellent materials like oil and water based media. 

Alongside his sculptures and paintings, Kohan has experimented with installation, and also maintains a large body of works on paper that he expands on a daily basis. Although Kohan’s ink drawings reflect similar themes, their figures signal a representational departure for the artist, as the thin, black outline of a recurring man is delicately rendered and accentuated with Persian letters and numbers in addition to other enigmatic symbols.   

 

Farzad Kohan

Farzad Kohan Born in Tehran, Iran in 1967, Farzad Kohan lives and works in Los Angeles, where he first trained as a sculptor in the late '90s. Kohan has held solo exhibitions at Maria Behnam Bakhtiar, Monaco (2019), Tufenkian Fine Arts, Los... Read more

Born in Tehran, Iran in 1967, Farzad Kohan lives and works in Los Angeles, where he first trained as a sculptor in the late '90s. Kohan has held solo exhibitions at Maria Behnam Bakhtiar, Monaco (2019), Tufenkian Fine Arts, Los Angeles (2019) Ayyam Gallery Dubai, DIFC (2016, 2013) and Seyhoun Gallery, Los Angeles (2006). Selected group exhibitions for the artist include Maria Behnam Bakhtiar (2022); Monaco; Tufenkian Fine Arts (2022 and 2019) Los Angeles; Advocartsy, Los Angeles (2016, 2015); Mim Gallery, Los Angeles (2015); Ayyam Gallery, Beirut (2015); Francis Boeske Projects, Amsterdam (2015); ABRA Gallery, Los Angeles (2011); Human Rights Awareness Tour, USA (2008); J Ferrari Gallery, Los Angeles (2008); Eagle Rock Center for the Arts (2008); and Phantom Galleries, Los Angeles (2007). Kohan’s works are held in private and public collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Read less

Join Our Community

TMR exists thanks to its readers and supporters. By sharing our stories and celebrating cultural pluralism, we aim to counter racism, xenophobia, and exclusion with knowledge, empathy, and artistic expression.

RELATED

Columns

The Bullet, the Missile and the Woman In-Between

4 JULY 2025 • By Alireza Iranmehr
The Bullet, the Missile and the Woman In-Between
Essays

Life Under the Shadow of Missiles: the View From Iran

20 JUNE 2025 • By Amir
Life Under the Shadow of Missiles: the View From Iran
Essays

The Felines that Leave Us, and the Humans that Left

1 NOVEMBER 2024 • By Farnaz Haeri, Salar Abdoh
The Felines that Leave Us, and the Humans that Left
Art

When Fatma Haddad Became “Baya”—a Paris Art Story

1 APRIL 2024 • By Naima Morelli
When Fatma Haddad Became “Baya”—a Paris Art Story
Book Reviews

An Iranian Novelist Seeks the Truth About a Plane Crash

15 JANUARY 2024 • By Sepideh Farkhondeh
An Iranian Novelist Seeks the Truth About a Plane Crash
Art & Photography

Iranian Women Photographers: Life, Freedom, Music, Art & Hair

20 NOVEMBER 2023 • By Malu Halasa
Iranian Women Photographers: Life, Freedom, Music, Art & Hair
Amazigh

The Tate Embraces Morocco with The Casablanca Art School

9 OCTOBER 2023 • By Sophie Kazan Makhlouf
The Tate Embraces Morocco with <em>The Casablanca Art School</em>
Books

The Contemporary Literary Scene in Iran

1 OCTOBER 2023 • By Salar Abdoh
The Contemporary Literary Scene in Iran
Essays

A Day in the Life with Forugh Farrokhzad (and a Tortoise)

3 SEPTEMBER 2023 • By Fargol Malekpoosh
A Day in the Life with Forugh Farrokhzad (and a Tortoise)
Fiction

“Here, Freedom”—fiction from Danial Haghighi

2 JULY 2023 • By Danial Haghighi, Salar Abdoh
“Here, Freedom”—fiction from Danial Haghighi
Essays

“My Mother is a Tree”—a story by Aliyeh Ataei

2 JULY 2023 • By Aliyeh Ataei, Siavash Saadlou
“My Mother is a Tree”—a story by Aliyeh Ataei
Art & Photography

From the City to the Desert—Tahmineh Monzavi

4 JUNE 2023 • By Tahmineh Monzavi
From the City to the Desert—Tahmineh Monzavi
Art & Photography

Earth Strikes Back

4 JUNE 2023 • By Malu Halasa
Earth Strikes Back
Photography

Iran on the Move—Photos by Peyman Hooshmandzadeh

1 MAY 2023 • By Peyman Hooshmandzadeh, Malu Halasa
Iran on the Move—Photos by Peyman Hooshmandzadeh
Art & Photography

TMR Conversations: Mana Neyestani, Graphic Novelist

1 MAY 2023 • By Malu Halasa
TMR Conversations: Mana Neyestani, Graphic Novelist
Film

Seven Winters in Tehran and the Execution of Reyhaneh Jabbari

10 APRIL 2023 • By Malu Halasa
<em>Seven Winters in Tehran</em> and the Execution of Reyhaneh Jabbari
Art

Nazanin Pouyandeh

5 MARCH 2023 • By TMR
Nazanin Pouyandeh
Columns

Letters From Tehran: Braving Tehran’s Roundabout, Maidan Valiasr

30 JANUARY 2023 • By TMR
Letters From Tehran: Braving Tehran’s Roundabout, Maidan Valiasr
Book Reviews

Editor’s Picks: Magical Realism in Iranian Lit

30 JANUARY 2023 • By Rana Asfour
Editor’s Picks: Magical Realism in Iranian Lit
Columns

Siri Hustvedt & Ahdaf Souief Write Letters to Imprisoned Writer Narges Mohammadi

15 DECEMBER 2022 • By TMR
Siri Hustvedt & Ahdaf Souief Write Letters to Imprisoned Writer Narges Mohammadi
Music

Revolutionary Hit Parade: 12+1 Protest Songs from Iran

15 DECEMBER 2022 • By Malu Halasa
Revolutionary Hit Parade: 12+1 Protest Songs from Iran
Columns

Music for Tomorrow: Iranians Yearn for Freedom

15 DECEMBER 2022 • By Nazanin Malekan
Music for Tomorrow: Iranians Yearn for Freedom
Columns

Letter From Tehran: From Hair to Hugs, Times Are Changing

28 NOVEMBER 2022 • By TMR
Essays

Farewell to a Football Love Affair in Iran

15 NOVEMBER 2022 • By Sara Mokhavat
Farewell to a Football Love Affair in Iran
Poetry

5 Poems & a Video—Essential Voices: Poetry of Iran and Its Diaspora

15 NOVEMBER 2022 • By TMR, Sholeh Wolpé
Columns

Women Are the Face of Iran’s Leaderless Revolution

24 OCTOBER 2022 • By Mahmood Karimi Hakak
Women Are the Face of Iran’s Leaderless Revolution
Opinion

Letter From Tehran: On the Pain of Others, Once Again

24 OCTOBER 2022 • By Sara Mokhavat
Letter From Tehran: On the Pain of Others, Once Again
Art & Photography

Homage to Mahsa Jhina Amini & the Women-Led Call for Freedom

15 OCTOBER 2022 • By TMR
Homage to Mahsa Jhina Amini & the Women-Led Call for Freedom
Art

Defiance—an essay from Sara Mokhavat

15 OCTOBER 2022 • By Sara Mokhavat, Salar Abdoh
Defiance—an essay from Sara Mokhavat
Art & Photography

Shirin Mohammad: Portrait of an Artist Between Berlin & Tehran

15 SEPTEMBER 2022 • By Noushin Afzali
Shirin Mohammad: Portrait of an Artist Between Berlin & Tehran
Music

Roxana Vilk’s Personal History of Iranian Music

20 JUNE 2022 • By Melissa Chemam
Roxana Vilk’s Personal History of Iranian Music
Fiction

“Buenos Aires of Her Eyes”—a story by Alireza Iranmehr

15 JUNE 2022 • By Alireza Iranmehr, Salar Abdoh
“Buenos Aires of Her Eyes”—a story by Alireza Iranmehr
Featured excerpt

Hawra Al-Nadawi: “Tuesday and the Green Movement”

15 JUNE 2022 • By Hawra Al-Nadawi, Alice Guthrie
Hawra Al-Nadawi: “Tuesday and the Green Movement”
Columns

Torsheedeh: The Significance of Being a Sour Iranian Woman

15 APRIL 2022 • By Parisa Parnian
Torsheedeh: The Significance of Being a Sour Iranian Woman
Art

Artist Hayv Kahraman’s “Gut Feelings” Exhibition Reviewed

28 MARCH 2022 • By Melissa Chemam
Artist Hayv Kahraman’s “Gut Feelings” Exhibition Reviewed
Book Reviews

The Art of Remembrance in Abacus of Loss

15 MARCH 2022 • By Sherine Elbanhawy
The Art of Remembrance in <em>Abacus of Loss</em>
Art

Atia Shafee: Raw and Distant Memories

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Atia Shafee
Atia Shafee: Raw and Distant Memories
Columns

LA Sketches: Sneakers and the Man From Taroudant

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By TMR
LA Sketches: Sneakers and the Man From Taroudant
Latest Reviews

Two Poems by Sophia Armen

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Sophia Armen
Two Poems by Sophia Armen
Latest Reviews

L.A. Story: Poems from Laila Halaby

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Laila Halaby
L.A. Story: Poems from Laila Halaby
Essays

“Where Are You From?” Identity and the Spirit of Ethno-Futurism

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Bavand Karim
“Where Are You From?” Identity and the Spirit of Ethno-Futurism
Essays

The Alexandrian: Life and Death in L.A.

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Noreen Moustafa
The Alexandrian: Life and Death in L.A.
Art

Farzad Kohan: Love, Migration, Identity

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Farzad Kohan
Farzad Kohan: Love, Migration, Identity
Art

Silver Stories from Artist Micaela Amateau Amato

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Micaela Amateau Amato
Silver Stories from Artist Micaela Amateau Amato
Art

Baba Karam Lessons: Artist Amitis Motevalli

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Amitis Motevalli
Baba Karam Lessons: Artist Amitis Motevalli
Art

L.A. Artist: Rachid Bouhamidi

15 FEBRUARY 2022 • By Rachid Bouhamidi
L.A. Artist: Rachid Bouhamidi
Art

Etel Adnan’s Sun and Sea: In Remembrance

19 NOVEMBER 2021 • By Arie Amaya-Akkermans
Etel Adnan’s Sun and Sea: In Remembrance
Art & Photography

Displaced: From Beirut to Los Angeles to Beirut

15 SEPTEMBER 2021 • By Ara Oshagan
Displaced: From Beirut to Los Angeles to Beirut
Art & Photography

Hasteem, We Are Here: The Collective for Black Iranians

15 SEPTEMBER 2021 • By Maryam Sophia Jahanbin
Hasteem, We Are Here: The Collective for Black Iranians
Book Reviews

ISIS and the Absurdity of War in the Age of Twitter

4 JULY 2021 • By Jessica Proett
ISIS and the Absurdity of War in the Age of Twitter
Latest Reviews

The World Grows Blackthorn Walls

14 MAY 2021 • By Sholeh Wolpé
The World Grows Blackthorn Walls
Book Reviews

Are Iranians—Restricted by the Trump Era Muslim-Country Ban—White?

15 NOVEMBER 2020 • By Rebecca Allamey
Are Iranians—Restricted by the Trump Era Muslim-Country Ban—White?
Editorial

Beirut, Beirut

15 SEPTEMBER 2020 • By Jordan Elgrably

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 × 4 =

Scroll to Top