Anahita Amouzegar is an Iranian-Australian visual artist based in Melbourne. Amouzegar describes her work as a journey into the abstract, where the tangible and intangible merge in a dance of colour, form and emotion.
Through figurative abstraction, she seeks to capture the essence of human experience, delving into our inner worlds and the fluid boundary between reality and imagination. With each brushstroke, she strives to express the complexity of human emotions and the ever-shifting landscapes of the mind. Amouzegar draws inspiration from artists such as Alice Neel, Picasso, Matisse and Andre Derain.
Can you tell us how you became a practicing artist?
I studied visual arts back in Iran, but when I had to seek refuge in Australia, my focus shifted to survival and rebuilding my life from scratch. For about seven years, I wasn’t able to support myself as an artist, and during that time, I didn’t even touch a brush. Looking back, I regret stepping away from art for so long, because I now realise it could have been a refuge for me through those difficult years.
It wasn’t until the COVID lockdowns, when I lost my job and was forced to slow down, that I started painting again—at first, just to pass the time. But the more I painted, the more I felt a deep reconnection to myself. It became clear that this is what I’m meant to do. Painting wasn’t just a hobby anymore; it felt like my calling, something essential that I couldn’t live without. That’s when I made the decision to fully embrace being an artist and commit to my practice.
Can you talk us through your creative process? How do you usually go about creating your work? And how does the subject appear in your paintings?
My process often begins with a simple idea or emotion—a moment of quiet reflection, a fleeting feeling of unease, or a sense of being caught between two worlds. From there, I build the composition, focusing on how the figure interacts with their environment. The placement of objects, the use of colour, and the balance of light and shadow all play a crucial role in conveying the emotional tone of the piece
Why are you drawn to painting as a medium?
Painting allows me to express emotions and ideas that words often fail to capture. The physical act of painting—mixing colours, layering textures, and working with my hands—creates a deep, personal connection to my work. It gives me the freedom to explore both the visible world and the inner, emotional landscape it feels alive, evolving with every brushstroke.
How did you develop your personal style and how has it changed over time?
"I believe my personal style evolved alongside my own personal growth. As I developed my technical skills and used painting as a healing process, I noticed that my art became a reflection of those inner changes. In the beginning, I was more spontaneous—I would jump straight onto the canvas and let things unfold instinctively. But over time, as my style matured, I started approaching my work with more intention. Now, I spend more time planning, photographing, and sketching ideas before I begin painting. That balance between intuition and structure has helped shape my current style."
What do you hope people feel or take away when experiencing your work?
I hope it resonates with them on a deeper, emotional level—whether it stirs a personal memory, a feeling, or simply invites them to pause and reflect. I want to create a space for quiet connection, where viewers can see parts of themselves, or even discover something new within. My paintings often come from a place of vulnerability and introspection, so if they can evoke a sense of intimacy or open up a meaningful thought or emotion in someone else, then I feel the work has truly lived its purpose.
