The Essence is currently at a crucial turning point. After a successful test phase in which I created a series of small-scale works exploring identity, unity in diversity, inclusivity, and mental health, the project is now ready to be developed into a major painting collection. I envision a new body of large-scale works (160×120 cm and 80×120 cm) that will expand the visual and emotional impact of the themes I have begun to explore. These larger formats are essential for the immersive experience I want to create for audiences, allowing the viewer to be physically and psychologically enveloped by the work.
The £10,000 bursary would directly enable this transition by supporting the material and logistical demands of working at scale. It would allow me to rent a suitable studio space for six to eight months, providing the physical environment necessary to produce and store large paintings. The funding would also cover the purchase of high-quality stretched canvases and professional-grade acrylic paints for the creation of 10–15 new works. In addition, the bursary would help with transport and framing costs, storage solutions for completed works, and professional documentation, all critical for preparing the series for exhibition.
This support would not only make the physical creation of The Essence – main phase possible, but it would also mark a significant step forward in my artistic practice. It would provide the stability and resources I need to work with greater ambition, deepen the conceptual scope of the project, and present the finished collection in a professional exhibition setting. It represents an opportunity to turn an experimental project into a cohesive, large-scale statement, inviting emotional connection, critical reflection, and public engagement.
By premiering The Essence – main phase in Darlington, I aim to contribute a powerful, inclusive visual experience that resonates with local audiences and enhances the town’s reputation as a space for meaningful contemporary art. The project tackles themes of identity, unity in diversity, and mental health — topics that speak across cultural and generational boundaries. These themes are increasingly relevant within local communities, particularly as art becomes a medium for empathy and dialogue.
I would actively seek to engage with Darlington’s creative community networks during the production and exhibition period. As an artist with a cross-cultural background working within the UK, I bring a perspective that complements and broadens the existing creative dialogue in Darlington. Through collaboration, interaction, and social discourse, I hope The Essence will be exhibited in the town and remembered as part of its evolving cultural narrative.
I am a visual artist whose work is shaped by a deep belief in unity, inclusivity, and the power of art to shape reality. Born with a curiosity about the world, I have always seen Earth as my homeland and art as my universal language. From early childhood, painting became my refuge and my means of understanding the world. I began my journey through non-formal art education at various institutes, which eventually led me to pursue formal fine art studies (acquiring a painting certificate at ACECR (Iran) with distinction) and establish a lifelong career in the visual arts.
Over the years, my work has been exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions across Iran, Türkiye, France, Italy, and the UK. Acrylic is my primary medium, allowing me to layer colour and texture in ways that mirror the emotional and psychological depth I seek to express. In 2024, I was honoured to receive the People’s Choice Award (Best in Show) at the Doncaster Open Art Exhibition and to be featured in 101 Contemporary Artists and More: Volume 7, published by Collect Artwork.
In 2025, I participated in a group show in central London, and my work was showcased at Euro Expo Art, edition 9. I was also long-listed for the Jackson’s Art Prize 2025. That same year, my collection The Essence was named a finalist in the Create (Art, Professional) category of the London International Creative Competition 2024. In April, The Flux Review (Edition 12) featured an in-depth interview with me, covering my creative journey, the philosophy behind The Essence, and how art has become my language for change, healing, and connection.
Now based in Bath, I’m a member of the New Bath Arts Club (NBAC) and the Art Circle, Bath. I am also collaborating with the Persian Manuscripts Association, exploring the intersection of contemporary art, the UK’s rich and inclusive culture and my Persian heritage.
I studied painting at the Academic Centre for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) in Alborz, Iran from 2015 to 2016. This intensive programme covered a wide range of subjects, including drawing, printmaking, acrylic painting, global art history, colour theory, composition, and visual structure. I received a painting certificate with distinction upon completion. As a final project, I developed a body of work titled Optical Illusion, which explored the relationship between human perception and the natural world. The project encouraged reflection on humanity’s perceived dominance over nature and proposed a more harmonious coexistence with the universe.
I also hold a Master’s degree in Children’s Publishing from Bath Spa University, awarded with distinction. While this qualification is not specifically in visual or applied arts, it reflects my multidisciplinary approach and has significantly contributed to my understanding of visual storytelling, narrative development, and audience engagement, all of which inform my visual art practice.
Yes, I have received a number of professional awards in recognition of my visual art practice. In 2024, I was awarded the People’s Choice Award (Best in Show) at the Doncaster Open Art Exhibition, a significant public vote-based prize that reflects the impact and accessibility of my work. In 2025, my painting series The Essence was selected as a finalist in the Create (Art, Professional) category of the London International Creative Competition (LICC 2024).
I was also long-listed for the Jackson’s Art Prize 2025, which is a competitive and respected international award for contemporary painters.
Yes, I am actively involved in self-initiated professional projects that expand my practice and public engagement. My latest independent body of work, The Essence, is a self-directed painting series exploring themes of identity, unity in diversity, and mental health through abstraction. This project reflects my shift into a deeper, more conceptual mode of working, using layered textures, colour, and negative space to express the complexity of shared human experience. The first phase celebrates unity in diversity, while the second phase, The Essence: Shadows, focuses on adversity and healing.
In parallel, I am co-leading ‘One Drawing a Day’, a collaborative project with Dr Shiva Mihan. This initiative involves daily drawing practice under professional mentorship, enhancing my technical skillset and conceptual understanding. The project supports my transition into a new painting series and will culminate in a two-artist exhibition in London. Both projects reflect my commitment to creating meaningful, self-structured opportunities for artistic growth and public engagement, using art as a platform for reflection, transformation, and cross-cultural dialogue.
I have been commissioned by Gisa Art Group, based in Alborz, Iran, to accomplish a mural in 2020.
No, my art collections have been purchased by individual art collectors. For example, one of my projects, called Surrender to Music, consisting of 18 pieces, was purchased by an American art collector in 2019.
Yes, my artwork has been featured in several respected art publications and curated platforms. Most recently, in 2025, I was interviewed for The Flux Review (Edition 12), a London-based art journal that showcases contemporary artists. The in-depth article explored my creative journey, the philosophy behind my painting series The Essence, and my commitment to promoting unity through visual art.
In 2024, I was included in 101 Contemporary Artists and More: Volume 7, published by Collect Artwork (Tbilisi). This curated art book presents a global selection of emerging and established artists, offering insight into current artistic practices.
That same year, my work was published in Emotion, an exhibition book by Cista Arts (London), which accompanied the group show of the same name.
Earlier in my career, in 2017, Art & Tra Revista (Volume 2, Issue 1, p. 50) featured a piece from my Maze of Peace collection titled Freedom Appeal. The article was published by Acca Edizioni Roma.
Yes, I am currently represented by the Nidra Art Project, an international art platform based in Türkiye. Nidra Art Project promotes contemporary artists through exhibitions, publications, and international collaborations. My work has been featured as part of their curatorial initiatives, allowing for greater visibility across European and Middle Eastern art networks. This representation has supported the international development of my practice.
At present, I do not have gallery representation in the UK. As an artist now based in Bath, I am actively seeking UK-based representation that aligns with my values and long-term professional goals.
No, I have not yet taken part in a recognised residency or artist placement scheme. However, I am actively seeking opportunities that offer structured time, space, and mentorship to further develop my practice. I see residencies as a vital platform for both personal growth and artistic collaboration and look forward to participating in such programmes in the near future.
Email: nasimyazdani.email@gmail.com
Address: 11, Rennie Close, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4GZ, GB
Local Authority: Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES)
