Biography

Elnaz moved to Melbourne from Iran in 2013. Her first introduction to pottery was during high school. She continued to practice on and off throughout the years.

Elnaz studied Industrial Design in Tehran. After graduating from university, she became her ceramic teacher’s assistant and began her professional career as a ceramist. She was mentored by one of Iran’s leading ceramicists and sculptors Maryam Salour. These years under this mentor ship brought ideas of European history, minimalism, modernism and truth of form.

After she moved to Melbourne she set up her own studio and is now working from her studio in Ripponlea where she continues making her striking ceramics and sculptural pieces.

Elnaz’ artwork is recognizable by its vivid use of colour and contrast, which came from a rebellion against Iran’s traditional use of “blue”.

Elnaz has displayed her ceramics in both Melbourne and Iran in exhibitions such as “Iranian Ceramic Biennial” Iran, “Toorak village sculpture Exhibition” and “Annual & Awards Exhibition” Melbourne. She won the Art Almanac Prize at 2016 Annual and Awards Exhibition for her sculpture The Eye.

Her work has been featured in Frankie Magazine, she has also been profiled on the Design Files, Cuckoo Magazine and Venice Clay Artists .

Exhibitions

  • Annual & Awards Exhibition Melbourne, VIC Australia 2016
  • Out of the blue Group Exhibition at Panoply gallery, Melbourne, VIC Australia 2015
  • Toorak village sculpture Exhibition Group Exhibition in Melbourne, VIC Australia 2015
  • Melbourne international flower and garden show Group Exhibition in Melbourne, VIC Australia 2015
  • A4 Art Australia Group Exhibition in Herring Island Summer Arts Festival, VIC Australia 2014 & 2015
  • Narrative Group Exhibition in Herring Island Summer Arts Festival, VIC Australia 2015
  • Annual & Awards Exhibition Melbourne, VIC Australia 2015
  • Belonging Group Exhibition Canberra, ACT, Australia 2015
  • Valley Potters Stimulus of the New at Kingston art gallery, VIC Australia 2014
  • Pottery Expo at Warrandyte, VIC Australia 2014
  • Valley Potters 35 ON Group Exhibition at Wyreena Gallery, VIC Australia 2013
  • Neel Art Gallery Group Exhibition Tehran, Iran 2011
  • The 10th National Biennial of Iranian Contemporary Ceramic Group Exhibition Semnan, Iran 2011
  • The 8th National Biennial of Iranian Contemporary Ceramic Group Exhibition Tehran, Iran 2006