Artist Highlight: Sharzadian

Sovereign Art Foundation is delighted to introduce Iranian artist Sharzadian, who will be leading our upcoming children’s workshop at Dona Ajuda in Lisbon on Saturday 4 July.

Sovereign Art Foundation is delighted to introduce Iranian artist Sharzadian, who will lead our upcoming children’s workshop at Dona Ajuda in Lisbon on Saturday 4 July.

Sharzadian is known for her striking mirror and mixed media artworks, exploring ideas of perception, transformation and connection. Inspired by Persian poetry, philosophy and storytelling, her practice invites viewers to pause, move around each piece and discover how light, reflection and geometry can change the way we see.

During the workshop, children will journey through The Conference of the Birds, the timeless Persian poem by Farid ud-Din Attar. Guided by Sharzadian, each participant will create a unique mirrored feather before bringing them together to form a single Simorgh, a mythical bird and a collaborative artwork celebrating unity, imagination and belonging.

Meet the Artist

Mirrors as a language

For Sharzadian, mirrors are far more than a reflective surface. They are the foundation of her artistic language.

“Mirror is my ground zero, my language before I even pick up another tool.”

She explains that mirrors invite the viewer into the artwork itself. As people move around each piece, their reflections bend, multiply and shift, creating an ever-changing experience that challenges fixed ideas about reality.

Fragments becoming whole

Sharzadian believes that truth is rarely found in a single perspective. Instead, each fragment contributes to something larger.

“Each fragment carries its own perspective, its own slice of reality. But the moment you bring the fragments together, something larger and more honest emerges.”

This idea sits at the heart of the workshop. Every child will contribute one mirrored feather, and together those individual creations will become a single collective artwork.

Looking again

Rather than providing answers, Sharzadian hopes her work encourages curiosity and a willingness to look again.

“I want people to rediscover the extraordinary that lives inside the ordinary, including inside themselves.”

As we shift our perspective, our understanding changes too. It is this process of looking again that lies at the centre of her artistic practice.

The Conference of the Birds

The ancient Persian poem tells the story of a flock of birds who set out in search of a great leader, only to discover that what they were looking for already existed within themselves and within one another.

“The power was in the journey. The power was in the togetherness that carried them there.”

For Sharzadian, this story is especially meaningful for children because it encourages them to look within themselves while also recognising the strength of connection and community.

Advice for young artists

Sharzadian encourages children to embrace creativity without worrying about perfection.

“Your original voice is the most powerful tool you will ever have. It does not need to be polished before it is used. It needs to be trusted.”

Join the Workshop

Families are warmly invited to join Sharzadian for an afternoon of storytelling, creativity and collaboration inspired by one of the most beautiful tales in Persian literature.

Saturday 4 July
2:00–4:00pm
Dona Ajuda, Rato, Lisbon
Ages 7–12
Free to attend

All materials are provided, and no previous art experience is necessary.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.pt/e/free-creative-workshop-with-artist-sharzadian-tickets-1992128186031?aff=oddtdtcreator

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.