Helia Chitsazan

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Helia Chitsazan (b.1995, Tehran, Iran) employs her creative prowess to capture the intricate themes of memories, identity, absence, and ephemerality in her artwork.

Her compositions evoke significant moments spent with loved ones in Tehran, Iran, which are now beyond reach. Chitsazan harnesses the power of her imagination to recreate those cherished moments of affection and intimacy, often rendering indoor spaces that offer a nostalgic sense of home. These spaces are where the secret double lives of Iranians occur—drinking, dancing, smoking, and holding hands—despite these activities being illegal in public. These moments are profoundly honest, emotional, and sincere demonstrations of her community. Chitsazan's oeuvre is an authentic and emotional expression of her personal memory and identity as an Iranian woman, conveying the inaccessible intimate emotions of the past. Her works offer an unvarnished and poignant representation of the deeply ingrained traditions and values of the Iranian community.

Having earned her BFA in Painting from the Art University of Tehran in 2018, Helia Chitsazan relocated to New York City to pursue her MFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts, where she graduated from in 2023. Chitsazan's artwork has been showcased in various painting festivals in Tehran and featured in the 2021 group exhibition, Cocoon, at the New Collectors art gallery in New York. She also participated in group shows at Thierry Goldberg Gallery and LAbeast gallery in early 2023. She was awarded the 1st painting grant from Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation located in Montreal, Canada.