Ani Afshar

Artist Information

Born: 1946, Istanbul, Turkey
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL

Contact Information

Email: webmaster (at) aniafshar (dot) net
www.aniafshar.net
Phone: (773) 6458922

Medium(s) Worked in:

Textile
Jewelry

Teaching Certified: No

Available for commission: textile, woven material, and jewelry
Past Commissions:
Alic Adam: 2 bedspreads, 1 shawl.
Dorothy & Alan Press: 2 bedspreads, 1 silk table runner.
Ruth Horwich: 1 bedspread, 1 silk shawl.
Lolli Thurm: 1 bedspread, 1 silk blanket.
Cathy Upjohn: 1 bedspread

Represented by:
Rezac Galery, Chicago, IL
AniAfshar Studio Boutique, Chicago, IL

Artist Statement:

Once the work is on the loom I follow the chosen colors and overall division of space as closely as possible.

Everything in my weavings start with an impression,a mood.The first stage is a rough sketch in which through notations, shape and division of space I try to capture the feeling of that moment. When I start a piece I select the colors and try to match them with a sketch or vice versa. Once the work is on the loom I follow the chosen colors and overall division of space as closely as possible. The next stage, the details, is spontaneous, I use color like a painter, except mine are used in sequence. In my work color, texture and beads are an integral part of the piece’s creation as it is woven. Nothing is added to the completed work once I have gone forward I can not go back.

Artist Bio:

I started weaving in the 1970s, living in Iran. In the 1980’s, living in Chicago, I began to exhibit my weavings (Evanston Art Center,Hyde Park Art Center, Rezac Galery etc.)and selling to collectors. At this point, I did a number of large works on commission. I also began to incorporate the loom into my beaded jewelry design. During these formative years in Chicago, I was represented by Rezac Galery, until thier close in 1993. In addition to my own practice, I began working as a teaching artist at the Hyde Park Art Center.

I use color like a painter.

In the 1990’s I developed a jewelry collection establishing a presence in N.Y. for fashion jewelry. In Japan, I sold to major department store boutiques through Ku-Croissant Fashion Jewelry, and also in London to V. & A. Museum Store, Harods, Harvey Nichols etc. In the U.S. as well I began to sell my work in high end department stores, museum shops, & boutiques.

Finally, in 2001 I opened ANIAFSHAR/Jewelry Boutique in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Then, in 2006 Schiffer Books published 4 books on my jewelry techniques. Most recently, in 2009, I closed ANIAFSHAR/Jewelry Boutique in Lincoln Park and re-opened ANIASHAR/Studio Boutique at a new location in Logan Square, Chicago, displaying both jewelry and woven designs.

Press & Publications

American Craft Magazine, 1992
Fiber Arts, 1992

Copyright © 2006 A:LIST.

Hyde Park Art Center