THE ARTIST
"I'm interested in capturing the idea that every living cell in all the history of time has been recycled from the same elements, passed on to new life from old life. I want to capture that connection between all of us and all living things. Science does not negate spiritual connectivity; it enhances it."
Niki Zarrabi is a second generation Iranian-American, mixed media artist from Atlanta, Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Drawing and Painting from Georgia State University in 2014. Her work ranges from painting and installation to large-scale mural work.
Zarrabi explores the complex relationship between spirituality and the science of human existence. She uses art to study the structure of our universe as a means to understanding its sustenance. By recreating the delicate infrastructures of biology in her layered pieces, Zarrabi is abstractly interpreting her own perception of our existence. Her goal is to provide her audience with an alternate appreciation for the countless, fragile yet complex elements that come together in order to give us life.
Zarrabi further examines the spiritual connectivity that exists amongst all life forms concurrently in her series of botanical paintings, titled 'Femme Petale'. These surrealist paintings push the idea of reincarnation as represented by flowers, seeing as plants are continually in a state of living and dying. The floral arrangements are illustrated as "melting" to represent a return back to the earth while the flowers represent life itself. These paintings strive to find beauty and comfort in the inevitability of death.
'Femme Petale: Portraits' additionally delves into topics of fertility and Mother Nature by subtly alluding to feminine power and matriarchy. Zarrabi's portraits exemplify conditioned, cultural understandings of the female role in society.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2014 // Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with concentration in Drawing and Painting, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021
Ovum, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
2019
What Binds Us, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
2018
Flourish, Made Again, Atlanta, GA
2016
Spectrum, W Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
The Masters Aren't Dead, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
A Better View, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Three Year Anniversary, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
2021
We See You, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
100th Day Show, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
Summer Invitational, Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, GA
A Better View, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2020
Force Des Femmes, Freemarket Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Paper Trail, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Floramatic, Freemarket Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Prism, Gallery C3, Charlotte, NC
2019
In This Moment, Freemarket Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Paper Trail, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, GA
FamilyHood Group Show, Octane West Side, Atlanta, GA
Summer Group Exhibition, presented by The FIA Art Club, Cat Eye Creative, Atlanta, GA
Decked Out, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, GA
First 30, Cateye Creative, Atlanta, GA
A Better View, ABV Gallery, Atlanta, GA
NEW YEAR*NEW ART, Facet Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2018
SCOPE Art Show, Miami Beach, Florida
Paint Like a Girl 2018, Facet Gallery, Atlanta, GA
RADIATE, Kai Lin Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Elusive and Intangible, Facet Gallery, Atlanta, GA
The Regional Semi-Finalist exhibition for The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Artisan Series, ZuCot Gallery, Atlanta, GA
POP Start, dk Contemporary Gallery, Marietta, GA
Lost In Reverie Artisans Bar & Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2017
Facet's Spooky Art Party, Facet Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Launch Exhibition for Vol. 2 ColorATL, Monday Night Garage, Atlanta, GA
Activating the Apparatus; StrangeMatterATL, Atlanta, GA
Familyhood ATL, Mutiny Artwx, Atlanta, GA
Paint Like a Girl 2017, Facet Gallery, Atlanta, GA
MOVEMENT, Blue Mark Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Artexpo New York, Pier 94, Manhattan, NY
The New South II, Kai Lin Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Artists' Studio Auction, Facet Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2016
IndusTREElization; a collaborative public installation, Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta, GA
FRESH, Kai Lin Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Georgia Artists: A Juried Exhibition, Abernathy Arts Center, Sandy Springs, GA
The New South, Kai Lin Gallery, Atlanta, GA
MEET ME IN 4D, Mammal Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2015
GAWD, Nirvana Studios, Atlanta, GAJune.14 - Nov. 14, 2015 // Displaying Artist at Midtown Hyatt Hotel lobby, Atlanta, GA
Georgia Artists: A Juried Exhibition, Abernathy Arts Center, Sandy Springs, GA
2014
Morphology Meets Lifespan, Mammal Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Haute Contemporary, Loews Hotel, Atlanta, GA
2013
Copula, Union, Atlanta, GA
Consumption, Union, Atlanta, GA
PRESS
2021
Independent Artists to Auction Three NFTs on Rarible to Benefit Heifer International", press release by Heifer International, published July 21, 2021
Buckhaven City Lifestyle Magazine, February Issue, pages 12-15; "Femme Petale", article by Sue G. Collins, photography by Jamestown Properties
2020
Atlanta HOME Magazine Studio Visit with Niki Zarrabi, Spring 2020 Issue, page 32; article by Kelundra Smith, photography by Patrick Heagney
2019
Drunk on Lettering Podcast, ep. 151
2018
Arts ATL, "Outerspace Project Brings Vibrant New Murals to Atlanta Streets"; Oct. 17; article by ARTSATL staff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Atlanta Artist Creates Unique Artwork for City Street"; Oct. 29; article by Pamela Miller
The ShowATL Podcast, Season 2, ep. 2
2017
Behind the Art with Niki Zarrabi, Q&A by FamilyHood
Q&A | Artist Niki Zarrabi, interview by Lynne Tanzer for CommonCreativ ATL
2016
Niki Zarrabi’s art explores biology, spirituality, and human existence, article by Caroline Coxx for Creative Loafing
Niki Zarrabi, article by ZH Magazine
Niki Zarrabi, interview by Millennial Nomaad
Making A Living As An Artist (Yes, It's Possible), blog post by Mavenly + Co.
Who is Niki Zarrabi?, interview by Aftab Committee