About Behzad Mohajer
I am a multidisciplinary artist from Rojhelat (West) Kurdistan. Currently my activities are based on the territories of the Squamish, Tsleilwatuth and Musqeam Nations, what is commonly know as Vancouver, BC.
Artist Statement
I started painting and drawing in early life. Inspired by my grandfather, a well-respected artist in his own right. I attended an art academy where my aptitude for expressive art was soon recognized and my work noted for it’s distinct style.
After graduating from college I developed My craft with more rigour, sustaining my artistic activities working as a children’s art teacher throughout Rojhelat, predominantly Kurdish regions in Iran.
It was during the process of witnessing budding young artists that I soon recognized the therapeutic value of the exquisite discipline that I loved. I saw the transformative power that was the synergy between art expression and the children who were my students – primarily those who had survived war and internal displacement, the refugee experience in war-torn Kurdish territories. Even with limited resources, the healing power of expressive arts was apparent.
In the most horrific circumstances of fascist violence and war, or the slow death of capitalist alienation, art is the breath of life.
Exhibitions & Collaborations
Gallery Exhibition – Group
Bukan (بوکان), Iran ·1990
Bukan Art Center – Group
Bukan (بوکان), Iran ·1990
Biennial Center – Group
Urmia (ارومیه), Iran · 1991
Individual Exhibition
Bukan (بوکان), Iran ·1992
Group Exhibition
Saqqez (سەقز), Iran ·1992
Group Exhibition
Mahabad (مهاباد), Iran ·1993
Individual Exhibition
Bukan (بوکان), Iran ·1994
Kurdish Artists Group
Senneh (سنە), Iran ·1995
Public Street – Individual
Bukan (بوکان), Iran ·1996
Public Street – Group
Bukan (بوکان), Iran ·1996
Group Exhibition
Türkiye · 2000
Cartoon Exhibition – Group
Romania · 2002
Caricature Exhibition – Individual
Türkiye · 2003
Mehregan Festival – Group
Dubai, United Arab Emirates ·2004
Painting Exhibition – Group
Türkiye · 2005
I could not stop what was vital to my existence: art is life, art is breathing and it sustained me through my fear of retaliation from the system.
Biography
Behzad Mohajer is a Kurdish artist born in 1973 in Rojhelat. As a budding artist, he experienced the full spectrum of repression by the totalitarian Islamic Republic of Iran. After enduring years of harassment and threats, he was incarcerated for continuing to practice his art.
All traces of his art work was destroyed in 1996.
“They tried to break me but I could not stop what was vital to my existence: art is life, art is breathing and it sustained me through my fear of retaliation from the system.”
Mohajer was eventually released from prison, but he continued to endure systematic surveillance, harassment, and threats. In 1998, he left his homeland for fear of his life if he continued his artistic endeavors.
Like many refugees from his region, Mohajer sought asylum in neighbouring Turkiye, where for the following seven years he would live in limbo awaiting the United Nations to resettled him.
Despite the persistent threats from Islamic Regime and precarity of life as a refugee, he was called to a life as an artist and cartoonist.
He established relationships with fellow Turkish and European caricaturist and soon began collaborating alongside them. Mohajer participated in several exhibitions in Turkiye and Europe.