Behnaz Chahkandi Verified listing

This work is a portrait of a Nigerian woman adorned with a traditional, culturally rooted necklace. Her head is encased in a transparent glass bowl — a symbolic reinterpretation of the Nowruz Haft-Sin goldfish bowl. Inside the bowl are key elements of the Iranian New Year tradition: apple, vinegar, sabzeh (sprouted greens), and a goldfish — each carrying deep meaning: • Apple: a symbol of beauty and health • Vinegar: a symbol of aging, experience, and acceptance of time • Sabzeh: a symbol of rebirth, vitality, and connection to nature • Goldfish: a symbol of life, movement, and renewal In this piece, the woman’s face gives way to a clear, luminous space — a moment of spiritual cleansing and stillness. This open space becomes a vessel for the emergence of a new face, one that is ready to enter a fresh season of life with the arrival of spring and Nowruz. The goldfish swimming toward this glowing space acts as a messenger of life and hope. It carries the energy of spring, flowing into the woman, preparing her for inner blossoming and renewal. This work is a poetic fusion of two cultures — Iranian and Nigerian — and a reflection of a woman’s readiness for a new beginning, in a moment where nature, time, and ritual breathe together

Gordafarid’s Flight This artwork fuses Persian mythology with African identity. Inspired by Gordafarid, the legendary female warrior of the Shahnameh, the portrait merges with a bird as a symbol of freedom, timeless power, and female resilience. The use of blue and black evokes mystery and introspection, while floral patterns add a poetic, feminine touch. This piece celebrates cultural fusion and transforms Gordafarid into a universal symbol of courage and transcendence.

The Bond of Legends: A Tale of East and West This artwork reimagines a meeting between Safavid Persia and six mythical figures from Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa traditions—Oduduwa, Amadioha, Shango, Ogun, Moremi, and Bayajidda. Inspired by the elegance of Persian miniatures and the grandeur of African mythology, the piece symbolizes unity, heroism, and cultural dialogue across civilizations. Through gilded detail and vibrant color, the painting transforms myth and history into a timeless vision of harmony.

This image is a surreal and symbolic composition featuring a Nigerian woman with natural, voluminous hair at the center. However, her face has been replaced by the wings of a butterfly. The butterfly, with its vibrant orange, black, and white hues, symbolizes life, transformation, and feminine freedom. At the center of her face, instead of facial features, there is an ornamental oval containing an image of a bird—but this bird is actually a Qajar-era woman. This concept symbolically represents the idea that the bird carries the spirit of a woman from the past, merging into the butterfly and becoming part of the Nigerian woman’s identity. Deeper Meaning of the Image: • The butterfly = A symbol of metamorphosis, rebirth, and female liberation • The Nigerian woman = A representation of strength, identity, and the modern life of African women • The bird-Qajar woman = A symbol of historical femininity, tradition, and a lingering memory of the past that still exists within today’s women This composition illustrates that women, regardless of culture or background, exist in a continuous cycle of transformation, identity, and liberation. The bird, with the face of a Qajar woman, metaphorically carries the legacy of womanhood from the past into the present. This artwork beautifully blends historical and modern identities within a dynamic and emotionally charged visual.

This artwork is created in the digital mixed media style, blending portraiture, natural elements, and traditional Persian miniature painting. Details of the Image: • The African woman’s face with voluminous hair takes center stage. Her sculptural appearance and intense gaze symbolize strength, awareness, and authenticity. • The African Grey Parrot, one of the most intelligent birds in the world, represents wisdom and sharp intellect in Nigerian culture. Known for its high comprehension and mimicry skills, the parrot in this composition serves as a metaphor for the woman’s intelligence and deep awareness, as if it holds secrets while observing everything around it. • The Persian miniature tattoo on her neck is a unique and striking detail. This traditional Persian artwork is not merely an aesthetic addition—it signifies a fusion of Iranian and Nigerian identities. The tattoo appears as an inseparable part of her existence, emphasizing the blend of Eastern and African heritage in her being. • Floral and natural elements surrounding the woman reflect her deep connection to nature and culture. The branches and flowers growing from her hair symbolize life, growth, and spiritual evolution. Style and Concept: This piece is a harmonious fusion of identity, tradition, and nature, presented in a modern visual form. The intelligent parrot embodies the woman’s keen mind and awareness, while the Persian miniature tattoo on her neck signifies the integration of different cultures and histories. This artwork celebrates power, authenticity, and the union between Eastern and African artistic influences. This artwork portrays a seamless integration of African and Persian identities, proving that culture and art are fluid, evolving beyond borders. The African Grey Parrot, a symbol of intelligence and awareness, further highlights this connection, as if the woman carries the wisdom of both worlds within her.

we use aso oke one of traditional fabric for yourob people wear this handwoven and festivals because of its strenhth and intricate patterns,ADIRE is historical fabric from early days of nigeria and is yoruba tribe and still is one of the oldest and is still in use today,ANKARA ankra is now epotome of african fashion with nigeria leading the way in its cultural adoption.GEORGE FABRIC:orginally from india nigerian cultures have embraced the george fabric,espically among the igbo people and also other tribes from southern UKARA:HAND-DYED INDIGO CLOTH CALLED UKARA FORMS PART OF THE IGBOS IDENTITY UKRA IS IMPORTANT FOR THOS WHO BELONG TO THE EKPE in southeastern nigerian .the designs bear deep meanings for those who wear them,LACE:LACE IS AMONG NIGERIAs most flecible texitiles its usage in nigerian fashion espically during signficant occasion like marrige ceremonies ,birthday parties On top of them is qajar dynasty girl The Guarded Domains of Iran,[a] alternatively the Sublime State of Iran[b] and commonly called Qajar Iran, Qajar Persia or the Qajar Empire, was the Iranian state[7] under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, which was of Turkic origin,[8][9][10]specifically from the Qajar tribe, from 1789 to 1925.[7][11] The Qajar family played a pivotal role in the Unification of Iran (1779–1796), deposing Lotf 'Ali Khan, the last Shah of the Zand dynasty, and re-asserted Iranian sovereignty over large parts of the Caucasus. In 1796, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajarseized Mashhad with ease,[12] putting an end to the Afsharid dynasty. He was formally crowned as Shah after his punitive campaign against Iran's Georgian subjects.

This work is in the Surrealist digital collage style, which combines historical maps, oriental miniatures, modern elements and cultural elements. The unconventional combination of these elements and the contrast between tradition and modernity have created an attractive and thought-provoking work.The kekenape is in the center of the image, its surface is decorated with various traditional, mythological and cultural designs. This combination shows the coexistence of modern elements with the historical past.In the background, an old map of the region of Iran and Afghanistan can be seen, which gives a sense of history.Historical and mythological characters are seen, including a legendary armored horseman who seems to have been inspired by epic tales.In the lower left, a man in traditional clothing is seen collecting firewood, which refers to rural life and traditional practices.On the right side of the image is a woman with a porter donkey, highlighting the contrast between traditional and modern transport (kekenape).

This painting is inspired by the tarot archetype of a strong woman — a figure who embodies dignity and resilience despite the unseen weight she carries. She wears a golden crown, holds a sword, and balances a scale — not to judge others, but to hold her own heart and mind in equal tension. Her strength lies not in perfection, but in balance: not letting her emotions rule her, and not silencing her empathy with cold reason. Though her body is scarred, fragmented, and broken open from within, she stands tall. The tears, the pain, the wounds — they are all there, yet so is her crown. The scale she carries is delicate, yet unshaken. In every crack, she is holding herself together — not to appear flawless, but to survive with meaning. This is the portrait of a woman who does not collapse — she calculates the weight of her soul with both passion and wisdom.

This painting is a tribute to the inner world of a woman in love. It captures the moment of an embrace — not just with her partner, but with the garden that blooms inside her heart. When a woman loves deeply, her world transforms: emotions become petals, and her presence becomes a lush forest of beauty, color, and song. Her hands, painted in bold strokes, are not just holding — they are offering. The birds and flowers represent the freedom, fertility, and wonder awakened by love. Through oil on canvas, I aimed to portray how love, for a woman, is not external — it is internal, overflowing, and alive.

This oil painting explores the inner world of a woman during her menstrual cycle — a time often surrounded by silence, stigma, and pain. The composition reveals a woman turned away, her body holding both darkness and light. On one side, pain curls into her side, and the world grows dim. On the other, warmth, color, and stillness emerge. The dove symbolizes peace in the midst of physical struggle; the wine glass becomes a metaphor for the quiet sacrifice and sacred flow. Despite the knives of discomfort and the storm inside, she remains elegant — her fingers painted red not in vanity, but in truth. This is a portrait of pain turned into beauty, of strength carried in silence.