Artist Spotlight: Roya Rahmanzadeh
First of all, could you introduce yourself? Where are you from, where do you currently live and who do you live with and care for?
My heritage is a mix of Iranian, Jewish and English and I am from Medway in Kent. I was born in All Saints hospital in Medway and I have returned to the area very recently. I live with my partner, Ed, who is from East London, and fixes cars. We share a two year old daughter called Cleo, who was born in North Middlesex Hospital in Enfield. We also live with a cat called Rioja who we found as a kitten when we lived in Tottenham.
Can you give us an overview of your practice; what type of processes/materials do you use and what are your main interests?
I create paintings that convey images that I have scrambled together in my mind based on snapshots of my own life and influenced by religious iconography, sci fi and pop culture. I love love LOVE oil paints, but they're high maintenance. Acrylic is very easygoing for a tired mum. I use gold leaf and spray paint for finishing touches. I don't have a studio space, so I work in the garden normally.
What does art/life balance look like for you? How do you balance your mothering work with your work as an artist, and how has the pandemic affected this balance?
Immediately before I became a mum I didn't really have a lot of time to paint because I was working full time and had a busy social life. I worked at a college in East London in the Art department and I used to do art with the students but that's not the same as creating my own stuff. I used to work with my sister Roxi Rahmanzadeh who makes greetings cards and I did some illustrations for those. Having my daughter has given me time to think, time to plan, and sometimes even time to paint. Before we moved to Medway there was no space to paint but I used to sketch her sleeping. Since we moved we have space and am geographically closer to my family who help with childcare. I also paint during her naps (if I've got a show coming up).
What or who keeps you motivated, encourages and inspires you to keep making work?
I was chosen to be in a show at the Turner Contemporary this year. I never imagined in a million years that someone like me would show their work in such a big gallery. That has been immensely encouraging for my confidence, and motivates me to keep going for the next exciting opportunity.
My family are very supportive and they inspire me to keep trying new things and taking risks - I'm very grateful for that. The UK's immigration policy is both racist and dehumanising and that is the inspiration behind my Space Refugees series.
How has the experience of motherhood impacted your practice on an emotional/intellectual level? Has it made you view yourself/your work differently? Are there things that influence your work now that you didn't think about before?
My daughter's love gives me a self esteem and a self respect that I lacked before she came along.
I'm going to quote my favourite rapper Mic Righteous (about his then newborn son) "now you're here I got so much more to work for".
What drives you to continue to make work?
I can't stop, it's part of who I am - as long as I'm breathing I'll be dreaming.
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for Spilt Milk! Its an amazing organisation and I'm grateful for the opportunity to become an artist member.
Roya Rahmanzadeh is of Iranian, English and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. She grew up in Medway, Kent, but left as a teenager and only recently returned after becoming a mother in 2020. She has a degree in Fine Art from UCA, and has exhibited at The Turner Contemporary, The Holy Art Gallery, The Halpern Gallery, and others. Her work expresses her own experiences, and feelings, about motherhood and about migration. She works in oil, acrylic, gold leaf, spray paint and pen on canvas and wood.