about me

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

I am a non-representational figurative artist exploring different genres, subjects and mediums. 

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

In my work, 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: 

1977 Unesco, Year of the Children, Poster, Second Place Award 

Collections:  

City of memphis PERCENT FOR ART program, Memphis, Tn 

Rhodes College, Memphis Tn 

Commissions: 

Public Art & Urban Design in the greater Memphis Region,

Group And Solo Exhibitions:  

1980 - L'institute de Francais, Tehran, Iran 

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 

2024 - Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis Tn

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