Artist Statement
My work is rooted in my interest in contemporary subjectivity and the discursive possibilities of representation available to marginalized subjects with Language being the central element and the link between various projects that I have explored during the past decade.
My ongoing project ‘Un-mothering’ investigates belonging in the context of the maternal bond and separation. Inspired by Anne Dufourmantelle’s body of work and my own psychoanalysis, I use found photography and family archives as a support for speech in order to articulate the unspoken.
Similarly, I question modern subjectivity through a conceptual project titled “tell me why you love me?” based on Zizek’s body inspired by Lacan.
Biography
Maral Bolouri was born in Tehran, Iran. They are a multidisciplinary artist based in Paris, France.
As a gender non-conforming person, their work previously reflected their experience as a marginalized subject in post-revolution Iran.
From 2009-2011 they lived in Malaysia to pursue a Master's program which guided their practice toward a research-based pursuit.
They moved to Kenya in 2012. Living in Nairobi introduced colonial and post-colonial realities to their practice with a focus on human rights and the representation of women in African oral traditions.
Since 2018 they have been based in Paris, France where they currently explore gender, identity, and the influences of identity politics on artistic practice.
Their works can be found in several collections including the World Bank Washington and Absa's permanent collection in South Africa. They are the overall winner of the Absa L'atelier competition 2017.