Katayoun Javan is an Iranian visual artist based in Naarm. Through photography and video, her work explores notions of home, family, memory and Iranian diasporic identity. Javan often incorporates found imagery and archival materials in the reclaiming and retelling of family histories juxtaposed with social and political contexts to create moving works of art.
Having pursued an arts education in Tehran and Melbourne, her art practice has been recognised in numerous exhibitions throughout Australia and internationally in Iran, Italy and Brazil.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, Javan discusses how Iran’s 1979 revolution has influenced her work such as her series The Man with 1000 Faces, inspired by her late father. She also shares about current projects and reflects on her experience as the recipient of the State Library of Victoria’s Creative Fellowship in 2015.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
My name is Katayoun Javan. I am an Iranian artist living in Australia.
I am a “sometimes” artist working with photography and video. In my past work mostly my family and Iran have been my subjects. Home, family, immigration and diaspora are themes which I am interested in, as they have affected my life deeply. I work in documentary photography and collage with the use of found photos and footage.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I was interested in art in general and I entered the art university in Tehran after high school and that’s where it all began.
Where did you grow up and how has it influenced your practice?
I grew up in Tehran, Iran. Being born right after the Iranian revolution and my family being affected by it had a great influence on me. I was always interested to tell stories through images.
Iranian literature, poetry and cinema and teachers that I had at university in Tehran had a great influence on me.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
I did a fellowship at the State Library of Victoria in 2015; just going to my studio next to the dome everyday and delving into the library’s picture archive was extraordinary. I took photos of Iranian migrants in Melbourne and that was an interesting experience and connected me to so many Iranians here.
But my most treasured project has been a very personal but political video and a photo project I did about my father who’s story was untold for political reasons for many years. The project was a therapeutic process for me and also was for honouring my father.
Tell us about your current project?
Right now I’m very occupied with all things language related; teaching Persian, English, and studying – I am thinking about making a project made of videos and installations about the Persian language called “Mother Tongue”, as the language is something that connects me to the motherland.
Who or what inspires your practice?
Past life experiences, stories and news I hear from Iran.
Iran is a very complex country socially and politically; many Iranians’ lives have been affected by the 1979 revolution. Most of the people – their values and beliefs are not aligned with what this autocratic government and the authorities dictate to them. For years people tried to push the government to reform and nothing changed and in the past few years, the situation has got so worse that they basically don’t want this regime anymore…
Also, there has been an eight-year war with Iraq which my generation grew up during it. All these have caused many Iranians to immigrate which has led to the Iranian diaspora and that has added another layer of complexity. All of these things have influenced my life and are the things that I like to make work about.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
In my studio, when I have one, because it allows me time to think and research and when I spend time with my relatives in Iran because their stories of the past and current life in Iran are very inspiring and touching.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
I hope that it moves them; makes them feel emotions and they leave the space with a new notion.
What gets you through creative challenges or tough industry times?
Taking a break! doing something new which I am doing now. Reading and watching videos/interviews about other artists who have had similar experiences.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I am really looking forward to go back to Iran where I haven’t been for almost seven years and spend some time there just observing and going through my family photo archive, talking to my relatives in person and do sound recording, making videos and photos. These all give me enough resources to come up with new projects.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
Most of these artists are established or mid career but the ones I love: Patrick Pound, Ruth Maddison and Damiano Bertoli (RIP) the photo collages of Grace Wood, Ezz Monem and Katrin Koenning’s photography and Phuong Ngo’s great ideas and installations.
Where can we find and follow you online?
Instagram: @katifasco
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