Amir Kamand
Amir Kamand
Visual Artist - Sculptor
Born in 1960 - Tehran- Iran
Amir Kamand is a Tehran-based sculptor. He began making sculptures during his career in industrial manufacturing, when he was introduced to the use of wax. He soon switched to using wood, adapting it as his medium of choice ever since. His sculptures combine elements drawn from his own experiences e.g., as a former skier and boxer.
His work has featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and was shown at Palais de Tokyo (Paris) as part of the summer exhibition City Prince/sses in 2019, where he started making larger-scale works combining multiple figures.
Amir Kamand spent years mastering metal carving and industrial mold making before embarking on his artistic journey. His wooden sculptures uniquely preserve the inherent characteristics of the material, emphasizing its rigidity and constraints. This approach demands precision and transforms power into a central feature of his artistry.
Kamand's work does not always conform to the natural forms found in wood. Instead, he deliberately deviates from these shapes to convey his message, infusing his sculptures with a distinct perspective that tolerates no errors.
He views sculptures as a collection of unique emotions captured from fleeting moments, emphasizing the transient sparks of inspiration and creativity.
A dedicated and industrious artist, Kamand draws inspiration from his surroundings, current events, literature, influential life moments, and cherished childhood memories.
He has a profound interest in creating prominent figures and mythical archetypes, including samurais, angels, boxers, and wrestlers. His work is a testament to his ability to transform everyday influences into powerful artistic expressions.
In Amir Kamand's wood sculptures, figures and characters inspired by pop culture frequently emerge, set against a backdrop of power dynamics cleverly veiled by a unique sense of humor. Kamand's work draws upon universal themes and narratives, infused with the particular urban sensibilities of his hometown Tehran.
The two sculptures showcased here portray a male and a female boxer, each bearing potent symbolism. The male figure clutches the ancient national emblem of Iran, the Lion and Sun - a representation officially restricted in the country since 1979.
The other piece reveals a defiant female boxer scrutinizing a diminutive male opponent through a microscope, encapsu- lating a moment of both empowerment and scrutiny.
This narrative of defiance is mirrored in the philosophy of Slavoj Žižek, who likens the evolving dynamics between a weakening political system and the growing defiance of its populace to a classic cartoon scenario.
He describes: "the cat reaches a precipice but goes on walking, oblivious to the fact that there is no ground under its feet; it starts to fall only when it looks down and notices the abyss. When a political regime loses its authority, it is like the cat above the precipice."
View his full collection of available artworks here