Featuring ceramic works created during Azadeh Mehryar’s residency at PoMoArts, Odyssey of the Rooted Self is a voyage of self-exploration, revealing the complexities of identity reconstruction after migrating to a new country.
Mehryar’s geometric and fragmented pieces draw inspiration from architecture and historical art. Through the process of rebuilding and reassembling forms, she navigates feelings of transformation and self-discovery. The resulting objects reflect the multifaceted experience of diaspora, rooted in one place yet continually reshaped within a new cultural landscape.
About the Artist:
Azadeh Mehryar is an interdisciplinary artist and instructor specializing in ceramics. She is currently the 2024-2025 Ceramic Artist in Residence at PoMoArts. Her work explores cultural hybridity, blending Persian art and architecture’s geometric influences with contemporary themes to reflect her diasporic experience. Originally a web developer, she transitioned to art in 2018, earning her BFA with honors from Emily Carr University in 2023. She received the Governor General’s Silver Medal for academic excellence, along with scholarships from the Northwest Ceramics Foundation and Brissenden. Mehryar has participated in residencies at the Shadbolt Center and Medalta and exhibited her work in galleries across Metro Vancouver. Through her ceramics, she bridges historical references with contemporary narratives, sparking conversations about identity, heritage, and artistic continuity.