Maryam Attar is an Iranian-born visual artist based in Melbourne, Australia, specialising in immersive installation art. Her practice focuses on painting and installation, with a primary emphasis on creating immersive spaces that explore themes of feminism and activism. Maryam earned a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design from Deakin University and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from RMIT University. She has exhibited her work in both group and solo shows and has received recognition as an award-winning artist.
My artistic journey has been shaped by a profound need to explore the intersections of feminism, activism, and the personal stories that define us. Through the language of installation art and expanded painting, I create spaces that are as much about the weight of our struggles as they are about the connections that bind us together.
In my work, I often return to the anguish that lingers in the shadows of displacement. The use of the Australian native plant, eucalyptus, is not just a visual motif but a symbol of the complexities of diaspora. Found in both my homeland and Australia, eucalyptus represents resilience and the continuity of life, reminding us that our roots endure despite the physical distance from home. These plants breathe life into my installations, anchoring them in narratives that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.
The spaces I create are not just to be observed but to be felt. I weave interactive protest art elements into my installations, transforming them into environments where oppression and resistance coexist. Here, the audience is invited to step inside, engage with the powerful dynamics at play, and confront the harsh realities that many face.
Through the evocative use of sound and imagery, I immerse viewers in an experience that is both visceral and transformative. My work is not just about depicting struggle and resilience; it is about inviting others to walk alongside these stories, to feel their weight, and to emerge with a deeper understanding of what it means to resist, endure, and hope. My art is a call to connect, empathise, and never forget the shared humanity that binds us all.
instagram.com/maryam_attarbashi