Abbas Akhavan

Abbas Akhavan was born in Tehran in 1977 and lives and works in Toronto.

Abbas Akhavan’s artistic practice encompasses site-specific ephemeral installations, drawings, videos, sculptures, and performances, all deeply influenced by the specific characteristics of the locations where he works. Architecture, patterns of use, the economy of space, and the memory of places inform the artist’s reflection on the domestic sphere, which Akhavan approaches as a complex site embodying both hospitality and hostility. Charged with emotion, the domestic realm serves as a central source of inquiry and critical reflection throughout his practice.

At Atelier Calder, Akhavan established a dialogue between his works and the surrounding landscape, integrating natural elements into his installations. He invited viewers to consider how the artworks interacted with one another and with the studio’s architecture, generating tension between objects, space, and environment, and revealing the subtle relationships that connect these elements.