Trondheim-based artist, Sahar Tarzi (b. 1989) explores the realms of visual arts and film, holding an M.A. in Animation and a B.A. in Cinema from Soore University in Tehran. With a profound passion for storytelling, Sahar's conceptual works navigate social and cultural themes, intertwining complex ideas within visual compositions and cinematic narratives.

Her artistic focus centers on self-confrontation and the societal 'gaze' on women, addressing social and cultural issues. Through a multidisciplinary approach, Sahar prompts viewers to contemplate existence's profound aspects. Commitment to character depth in animations and sculptures reveals her dedication to portraying the pivotal role of women in her art.

Sahar's diverse mediums include mirror works, sculptures, photography, animation, short films, and video art. Techniques like mirrors and papier-mâché in sculptures and 3D, 2D, and pixilation in animations showcase a rich diversity of forms.

Mirrors, integral to Iranian architecture and her family's art, hold a symbolic role in Sahar's pieces. Her recent work, 'Peep Box,' symbolizes the discomfort of 'gaze' on women through several eyes within an octagonal box made of mirrors with a central naked woman’s sculpture.

Sahar's work, exhibited nationally and internationally, includes showcases in Denmark, Norway, and Iran, with film screenings and awards in Spain, Switzerland, Greece, the United States, and Canada, among others.
 

Education

MA. in Animation, Soore university, Tehran

BA. in Cinema, Soore university, Tehran

Experiences

Fine Art
2019 - Present
'Peep box' Installation, 2023
'Reflection' Installation and Photography, 2022
'Eyes on me' Video Art, 2022
'Shams' Mirror Art, 2022
'Manipulation' Photography project, 2019
'Nightmare' Photography project, 2019

Music Video Director and Editor
2015 - Present
'Ain't our fault' Animation Music video, Director and Editor, 2021
'The Nurses' Music video, Editor, 2021
'The Badger' Music video, Director and Editor, 2021
'The Only Voice' Music video, Editor, 2020
'Kormanj' Music video, Director and Editor, 2017
'Shahab Sadeghi' Music video, Director and Editor, 2016
'Reza Bahram' Music video, Editor, 2016
'The Rush' Music video, Director and Editor, 2015

Film and Documentary Directing and Editing
2010 - 2020
'Qeshm Island' Documentary, Editor, 2020
'Karbafi' Documentary, Editor, 2019
'Gilan' Documentary, Editor, 2019
'Karimi Saremi' Documentary, Director and Editor, 2018
'ISMEO' Documentary, Director and Editor, 2017
'Armenian Bakery' Documentary, Director and Editor, 2017
'Chanel' Feature film, Assistant Editor, 2017
'Return' Short film, Editor, 2016
'Repetition Dream' Short film, Editor, 2016
'Paper Moments' Animation, Director and Editor, 2015
'Falling Down' Short film, Director, 2011
'From Here' Short film, Director, 2010
'Farhad Aghili' Documentary, Director, 2010

Film Photographer
2015 - 2018
'Chanel' Feature film, Photographer, 2017
'Nobody Dies Here' Feature film, Photographer, 2016
Several Short films, Photographer, 2015-2018

Commercial Director and Editor
Tivan Studio · Freelance
2022 - 2023
'Himalia Series' Commercial, Editor, 2023
'Saran' Commercial, Editor, 2022

Event Video-maker and Photographer
Imazh Studio · Part-time
2018 - 2019
• Photographed several events including concerts, festivals, and international events.
• Offered creative ideas and concepts based on clients' styles, needs, desires, and budgets
• Enhanced, edited, and retouched images and videos using different software including Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop

Commercial Director and Editor
Roya Film · Freelance
'Dorsa Catering' Commercial, Editor, 2019
'Matia Shopping Mall', Commercial, Editor, 2018
'Citadium Shopping Mall', Commercial, Editor, 2018
'Cinema Research Festival', Commercial, Director and Editor, 2017

Animation Supervisor
Arse Cinemagaran Shabih · Contract
2017
'Radkan Tower' Documentary, Animation Supervisor, 2017

Wedding Video-maker and Photographer
Khorshid Studio · Part-time
2014 - 2016
• Shot and edited fashion, kids, and portrait photography
• Shot both in-studio and outdoor photography working with a variety of lighting and photography equipment
• Designed slideshows and digital albums
Skills: Adobe Photoshop · Adobe Lightroom · Adobe Premiere Pro

Commercial Director and Editor
Arse Cinemagaran Shabih · Freelance
2014 - 2015
'Mashhad Municipality' Commercial series, Editor, 2015
'Blue Spring' Commercial series, Editor, 2015
'Darvishi Hotel' Commercial, Editor, 2015
'Mehr Complex' Industrial film, Editor, 2015
'Persian Carfts' Industrial film, Director and Editor, 2015
'West Asian Cement' Industrial film, Editor, 2014

Commercial Director and Editor
Peyk Hatam Qeshm · Freelance
2013 - 2014
'Chitgar Residential' Industrial film, Editor, 2014
'Pars Oil' Industrial film, Editor, 2014
'Asalooyeh' Industrial film, Editor, 2013

Awards

2022 Official selection, "Ain’t our fault" short animation, 12th Tehran Biennial Festival, Iran

2021 Official selection, "Ain’t our fault" short animation, SPARK Animation Festival, Canada

2016 Winner of Best Experimental music video, "The Rush”, Experimental Superstars Festival, Serbia

2016 Winner of Best Short Animation, “Paper Moments", ASIFA in Tehran International Short Film Festival, Iran

2016 Winner of Best photographer “Nobody dies here" Yas Festival, Iran

2016 Winner of Best Director "Paper Road" Sama Short Film Festival, Iran

2016 Nominated for Best Short Film "Paper Moments", Wind International Film Festival, United States

2016 Finalist “Paper Moments", The Gullah Geechee Heritage International Film Festival, United States

2016 Finalist “Paper Moments", In/Out video & Film Festival, United States

2016 Finalist “Paper Moments”, Elche International Independent Film Festival, Spain

2016 Finalist "Paper Moments", Locomocion Experimental Animation Festival, Mexico

2016 Finalist "Paper Moments", Frame by Sound Festival, Dominica

2016 Finalist "Paper Moments" Minikino Film Week, Indonesia

2011 Nominated for Best Directing, ‘From here’ Short Film, Urban Film Festival, Iran

2011 Nominated for Best Fiction Short Film ‘From here’ Short Film, Iranian Young People Short Film, Iran

2010 Nominated for Best Directing ‘From here’ Short Film, The Taak short Film Festival, Iran

Membership

Iranian association of Animation guild, 2019 - Present

Iranian Cinema House Association, 2019 - Present

Research Experience

Articles

The discourse of the legends of “Men-mendas” and “Bou-salameh”based on the views of Jacques Lacan with the approach of use in animation works, 2022

Graduate Research Thesis

Studying the visual capabilities and ancient stories of south of Iran and using them to create Iranian animations, 2020

Undergraduate Research Journal

Review on Characters in ‘Fargo’ directed by Coen bros., 2012