And This Is How It Ended? 

(The Divorce Show) 

 

amitis MOTEVALLI

(click on image to enlarge)

Biography  

Amitis Motevalli was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to the US with her family in 1977. In her exploration of artwork, she has incorporated a combination of near-eastern aesthetic with a western art education. Since her immigration from Iran to the United States, her vision has shown a duality of culture, both natural and learned. Amitis Motevalli introduces a dialogue that critiques the western view of Middle Eastern women and culture in general. Her work recreates the concepts of Islamic art, yet with a resolve that adapts and exploits her environment and experiences.

Professionally, she has been involved in art education with youth who share with her a similar duality in their vision. Through her involvement with youth and art, Motevalli has worked in creating social change with her students on civil rights and equal access within their schools. Her civil rights work includes collaboration with several community organizations such as Community Coalition, the ACLU and Pacifica.

She is currently living and working in Los Angeles, exhibiting art and organizing youth on issues of educational justice. Her work is now focused on a collaboration with students in Los Angeles and East Oakland on a multi-media exhibition looking at repressive tactics in local schools. 

Ms. Motevalli is also a 2007 California Community Foundation grant recipient and has been recognized as one of the seven artists in California for Visions from the New California which includes an artist-in-residence at Montalvo Arts Center.