About

Born in 1988 in Tehran, Iran, Reihaneh Hosseini immersed herself in philosophical studies before establishing her artistic base in Vienna in 2014. Her deliberate choice of the figurative style is more than a mere artistic decision; it is a manifestation of her emotional core, the tales she wishes to convey, and her unique perspective on existence. Her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, focusing on Graphic Arts and Printmaking Techniques, further enriched her artistic practice.

Through her paintings, Hosseini aims to convey the deep stories and emotions that define the human experience, celebrating the resilience and enduring spirit of women. She also explores the psychology of her surroundings and her own emotional states, capturing them through vivid character portrayals. Her inspiration is rooted in the everyday: friends and daily experiences form the basis of her stories. However, when these impressions are transferred to canvas, they undergo a transformative process that results in a dysmorphic representation. The result is figures with exaggerated dimensions, grotesque elements, distorted attributes, and a color palette that defies expectation.

When she starts painting, Hosseini has many ideas in her head that she transfers directly onto the canvas. This process is dynamic and engaging, like a game of ping-pong, where each stroke brings new dialogues and responses. Everything forms in a cycle, one element following another, often resulting in spontaneous moments that she cannot control, which are the most joyful parts of her work. Each painting follows its own unique path, yet they all come together as a cohesive whole. This journey of creation is varied and unpredictable, but it is in these moments of serendipity that she finds the greatest joy in her art.

Hosseini’s artwork has a profound physical resonance, making palpable the intangible absurdities she perceives in the myriad experiences of life. Each painting is a delicate balance of opposites, presenting figures that constantly oscillate between the aesthetically pleasing and the disturbing. The cartoonish veneer of her characters offers a lightheartedness, an element of humor that is counterbalanced by their inherent philosophical nuances.

To look at Hosseini’s work is to be transported into magical realism. Each character acts as a mirror, reflecting aspects of the subconscious, evoking the innocence of the inner child and drawing on shared mental and socio-cultural imagery.