Orkideh Torabi's paintings explore personal narratives, and societal norms, challenging traditional ideas of femininity, power, and identity. Blending elements of Persian miniature painting with contemporary imagery, her artistic style blurs the boundaries between past and present. In her practice, she embraces the role of a storyteller, recognizing the integral role that narration plays in her paintings. Within her work, she has crafted a diverse array of whimsical characters, each with their own unique backstory and personality. For her, the canvas becomes a stage, and her paintings take on the essence of a captivating play or theatrical scene, with these characters serving as the ensemble cast, each playing their distinct role. By placing her characters in various settings, she weaves together a narrative, developing the story that unfolds within her art. It is through the interplay of these characters, their interactions, and the spaces they inhabit that the plot unfolds, inviting viewers into a world of imagination and storytelling. The canvas becomes a stage, and her brushstrokes serve as the script, guiding the movements and expressions of the characters as they bring the story to life. Drawing inspiration from her Iranian heritage, Torabi explores themes of cultural identity, diaspora, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Her work reflects a deep understanding of Persian visual traditions while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of those traditions, creating a fresh and contemporary dialogue.
Orkideh Torabi received an MA and BFA from The University of Art, Tehran, Iran, and an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL. She had a 2021 museum exhibition at The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, IL, and selected solo exhibitions include Nino Mier Gallery, Brussels, Belgium and Köln, Germany; Half Gallery, New York, NY; Western Exhibitions Gallery, Chicago, IL; and Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Selected group exhibitions include Nino Mier Gallery, New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA; Galerie Droste X KPM Berlin, Germany; Spurs Gallery, Shanghai, China; Chicago Cultural Center, IL; and Fredericks and Freiser, NY. She has completed residencies at Nino Mier Gallery, Köln, Germany; Wassaic Project Artist Residency, Wassaic, NY; Field/Work Residency, Chicago Artist Coalition, Chicago, IL; Acre Projects Residency, Steuben, WI; Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha, NE; Ox-Bow Artist Residency, Saugatuck, MI; and Salzburg Künstlerhaus Artist residency, Salzburg, Austria. Her work has been reviewed by The New York Times, AnOther Magazine, Canvas Magazine, The Brooklyn Rail, Gallery Magazine, Elephant Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Hyperallergic, and Juxtapoz, among others.