about me

sowgand sheikholeslami (so-gand shake-ol-es-lami) 

I am a semi figurative artist exploring different genres, subjects and mediums in my art.

My work is very much rooted in drawing, mostly observational depiction of people, their characters, body language, expressions and emotions.

I am drawn to creating a narrative of nostalgia rooted in my memories with an air of ambiguity.

Color has an important place in my work, however it is not indicative of the underlying mood or emotion behind the piece.

I enjoy exploring different genres, mostly interiors occupied by people, landscape, still-life and other subjects which inspire, excite, and surprise me. I prefer oil paint, watercolor, ink and other dry drawing mediums in my work but I get excited and always ready to experiment new mediums.

Education and Occupation

1980 BA in Fine Art & Graphic Design, University of Tehran, Iran

1986-1998 Art Director, BBC Publishing Agency, Memphis,TN

1998-2010 Director of Communication and Publishing, MMT CPC, Memphis, TN

2010-2023 Senior Art Director, Ministry Council of CPC Memphis, TN.

Awards: 

1979 Unesco, International Year of the Child, Poster, Second Place Award 

Collections:  

City of memphis PERCENT FOR ART program, Memphis, Tn

Rhodes College, Memphis TN, USA

Commissions: 

Public Art & Urban Design in the greater Memphis Region.

Group And Solo Exhibitions:  

1980 - L'institute de Francais, Tehran, Iran, solo exhibition

2003 - Levy Gallery, Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, group show. 

2004 - Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, group show. 

2005- Botanic Garden, group show.

2005 - Levy Gallery, Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, group show.

2009 - Levy Gallery, Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, solo exhibit.

2010 - ANF Architects, solo exhibit. 

2010 - Harrington-Brown Gallery, group show.

2011- Harrington-Brown Gallery, solo exhibit.

2012 - Germantown Performing Arts, solo exhibit .

2013 - 2014 The Urban Arts Commission. 

Inaugural District Mural Program, UAC - The Ballers, District Mural Program - UrbanArt Commission.

https://uacmem.org/projects/the-ballers

2023 - Levy Gallery, Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, group exhibition.

2024 - PROGRESSION, Mallory/Wurtzburger Exhibition April 14 – July 7, 2024- solo exhibition.

2024 - Artist Residency at WilsonArkansas in Collaboration with Dixon Gallery & Gardens.

2024 - Hot of the Wall, Dixon Gallery & Gardens, group exhibition.

2025 - HORIZON LINES, Mallory/Wurtzburger Exhibition –July 6-Sept 21, 2025.

2025 - Hot of the Wall, Dixon Gallery & Gardens, group exhibition. Sept, 2025.