b. 1984, based in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, FR

In his colourful paintings the Franco-Iranian artist Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar has developed a signature style of scraped painting – oscillating between abstract and figurative structure. With his works he allows the canvas to become a resonance body for the viewer and to integrate them into an intense and subjective dialogue. Also, his subtly transferred inscribed memories and experiences bring senses and intellect of the viewer together. Behnam-Bakhtiar’s unique technique reminds the viewer of Persian mosaic craftsmanship and, at the same time, of pixelation computer graphics, thereby reflecting the artist’s cultural identity and influences of European art history in a contemporary context.