Arash Shirinbab
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EDUCATION
2010- 2012
MBA in Design Strategy, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA, USA
2004- 2006
Master of Arts in Industrial Design, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2001- 2004
Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
SPECIALIZED TRAININGS
March 2015- Present
Apprenticeship training of Nastaliqu style of Persian calligraphy under maestro M. Navid Bazargan, San Francisco, CA, USA
Sept.- Dec. 2014
Ceramics Studio and Art History, Berkeley Adult School, Berkeley, CA, USA
June- Nov., 2013
Apprenticeship training of reading and inscribing traditional Kufic style of Arabic calligraphy under maestro S. M. Vahid Mousavi Jazayeri of National Iranian Calligraphists Association, Tehran and Abadan, Iran
July- August, 2013
Apprenticeship training of “Negargari” (traditional Persian art of painting and miniatures) and “Tazheeb” (traditional art of illumination by combining floral designs, arabesques, and gilding in artworks) under maestro Amirhossein Aghamiri, Institute of Hozeye Honarie Iran, Tehran, Iran
June- July, 2013
Apprenticeship training of traditional Persian process of glazing calligraphy designs and patterns on tiles and ceramics under maestro Reza Eghtedar, Tehran, Iran
May 2008- Aug. 2010
Apprenticeship training of traditional Thuluth style of Arabic-Persian calligraphy under maestro Abdolreza Hosseini Garakani of National Iranian Calligraphists Association, Khane Ketabat Iran, Tehran, Iran
1999- 2001
Art courses including drawing, painting techniques, art theory, and history of art under maestro Nasser Arabpour, Naghsh Honar Art Institute, Kerman, Iran
Awards
Art Curator
Workshops
Art Leadership
Oct. 24, 2014, Timeless Words calligraphy workshop and exhibition, University of Toronto, Canada
SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS
Finalist of Islamic Art's Building Bridges national grants program 2015, in Partnership with Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Doris Duke Foundation, USA
Traditional Arts Grant as the leading artist and calligrapher 2015, in Partnership with Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Creative Works Fund, USA
Apprenticeship Program Award 2015, Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA), USA
Living Cultures Grants 2015, in Partnership with Ziya Art Center, Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA), USA
First Place and Best of Show in Mixed Media at the 50 Shades of Gray competition 2014, Focus Point & Shape International Gallery, USA
Honorable Mention Award 2014, 2nd Bi-annual International Competition of Four Points Contemporary, USA
Special Merit Award 2013, 3rd Annual International Animals Art Competition, Light Space & Time Online Gallery, USA
Special Recognition Award 2013, My Art International Competition, Art Quench Online Magazine, USA
Student Notable Award in Design for Social Impact 2011, Core77 International Design Awards, Core77, USA
National Award of Extra Ordinary Talents 2008, Iran National Elites Foundation, Iran
Exceptional Talented Students Award and Scholarship in Arts 2001- 2004, by The Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology; the Education Evaluation Organization; and University of Tehran, Iran
February- March, “Invoking Peace”, Euphrates Museum of Art, De Anza College, Cupertino, CA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
† Signifies Curatorial Commitment
* Signifies Solo Exhibition
2015
Nov. 7- Dec. 12
† “Calligraphies in Conversation” 2nd international exhibition, multiple locations including Oakland Main Public Library, Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC), and Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
Sept. 26- Dec. 30
† “Iranian Arts Now” international exhibition, de Young Museum and Golden Gate Park and website of Ziya Art Center, San Francisco, CA
June 13- Aug. 22
“Kalligraphia XIV” group exhibition by Friends of Calligraphy (FOC), San Francisco Main Library, San Francisco, CA
May 2- June 30
† “We Are the Bridge” Third Biennial Interfaith Art Exhibit, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
April- June
“Arabic, Language of Quran”, Group traveling exhibition by Islamic Art Exhibit at:
- South Bay Islamic Association, San Jose, CA
- Oakland Public Library Rockridge Branch, Oakland, CA
- Central Park Library, Santa Clara, CA
- Central Park Library, Santa Clara, CA
- Kehilla Community Synagogue, Piedmont, CA
April 11- 16
* “The Desert of Colors and Poetry” solo exhibition, Behesht Gallery, Kerman, Iran
March 14- April 12
The 5th International Exhibition of Calligraphy 2015, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy in Moscow, Russia
March 6- 16
* “Inspirations of the Desert” solo exhibition, the Fine Arts Gallery of Saadabad Palace, Tehran, Iran
2014
December 7
* “Calligraphy Alive” solo exhibition, Fremont Main Library, Fremont, CA
November 14- 15
* “Acceptance” solo exhibition, Zaytuna College, Berkeley, CA
November 8- 22
† “Freedom and Enlightenment” group exhibition, Ziya Art Center and Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
October 24
* “Timeless Words” solo exhibition, University of Toronto, Canada
August 14- Sept. 13
* Guest Artist Solo Exhibit of the Sumer Series Exhibitions, The Gallery of Arts Council of Big Bear Valley, Big Bear Lake, CA
July 24
SeeMe collaborative creative project billboards, Times Square, NYC
April 26- May 3
* “Trees of Fall” solo exhibition, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
April 4- May 16
* “The Word” solo exhibit, Library of Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA
April- December
“Women in Islam”, Group traveling exhibition by Islamic Art Exhibit at:
- South Bay Islamic Association, San Jose, CA
- Albany Library, Albany, CA
- Fremont Library, Fremont, CA
- Santa Clara Library, Santa Clara, CA
- Martin Luther King Jr Library, San Jose, CA
- Saratoga Library, Saratoga, CA
March 24- April 20
“Art on BART” exhibition, WanderArt and The Public Works SF at Roll Up Gallery, San Francisco, CA
March- April
“50 Shades of Gray” international competition and online exhibition, Focus Point Shape International Online Gallery, USA
Mar. 15- May 3
† “Calligraphies in Conversation” group exhibition, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California and Oakland Asian Cultural Center (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
March 2- 30
“Art on BART”, WanderArt exhibiting at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) System, CA
February 27- April 24
“Journey” group exhibition at Gallery 85 of the Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts, San Jose, CA
February 13
† “A Calligraphic Dialogue” group exhibition of Japanese and Arabic-Persian calligraphy, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland
January 26- April 7
“The Salaam, Shalom: Speaking of Peace, Interfaith Art Exhibit”, Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael, CA
January10- 31
“Contemporary Visions Art Festival” by Associazione Culturale Day One at Multiverso gallery, Florence, Italy
Jan. 2- 31, 2014
“Reflections: Open International Juried Show” by San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild (SDMA) at Gallery 21 Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Dec. 2013- Jan. 2014
“SOMA” Juried Online Exhibition, Dulcinea Art Gallery, USA
2013
December 7- 28
“Reflections”, Arterie Fine Arts, Naperville, IL
December 3- 8
SCOPE International Art Show, Miami Beach, FL
November 15- 30
“Unrestrained Inspirations International Art Competition”, EWNS Art Project, Paris, France
November 10- 30
“BorderBody: Mixing Cities and Mixing Identities” by International ArtExpo at the Gallery MD_S, Wroclaw, Poland
October- November
Third Annual International Animals Art Exhibition, Light Space & Time Online Gallery, USA
October- November
15th International Abstraction Exhibition, The Upstream People Gallery Online, USA
September- October
“My Art” International Exhibition, Art Quench Online Magazine, USA
September- October
“Museum Belongs to All” exhibition, Kunsthaus-Berlin-Marbella, Marbella, Spain
August- December
“Approaching the Quran” group art exhibition at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
May- June
† "Finding Common Grounds through Sacred Words" Interfaith Art Exhibition at Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland
April- December
"Benevolence: the message of Quran " group traveling exhibition by Islamic Art Exhibit at:
- Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
- Santa Clara Library, Santa Clara, CA
- Fremont Main Library, Fremont, CA
- Antioch Library, Antioch, CA
- Salam Islamic Center, Sacramento, CA
- El Cerrito Library, El Cerrito, CA
- Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Hill, CA
February – April
"Echoes of Islam" group exhibition, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
2012
November 15
† “Dancing Words”, American Islamic College, Chicago, IL
October 5
† “Connecting the Worlds with Words”, calligraphy exhibit and demonstration at the Annual Faith Trio Harvest Dinner, Kehilla Community Synagogue, Oakland, CA
July 16
† “The Hope” calligraphy exhibition, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
June 2
† “The Moment of Light” calligraphy exhibition, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
May 20
“Islamic Art and Architecture” exhibition, Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA
February- March
“Invoking Peace”, Euphrates Museum of Art, De Anza College, Cupertino, CA
January- May
“Muslim Eyes: An Exhibition of Religious and Secular Art by Muslim Artists”, Marin Community Foundation, Novato, CA
April- November
“The Miracles of Quran” group traveling exhibition by Islamic Art Exhibit at:
- Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
- Cupertino Library, Cupertino, CA
- Fremont Main Library, Fremont, CA
- Santa Clara Library, Santa Clara, CA
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, San Jose, CA
March 2- 4
"Bridging the Gap", Tecoah and Thomas Bruce Galleries, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
2009 - 2011
April- Dec., 2011
"Legacy of Quran: Message of Peace" group traveling exhibition by Islamic Art Exhibit at:
- Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, San Jose, CA
- Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA
- Fremont Library, Fremont, CA
- San Ramon Library, San Ramon, CA
- Pleasanton Library, Pleasanton, CA
- Saratoga Library, Saratoga, CA
June- July, 2009
Art and Design group exhibition, House of the Contemporary Arts (Maan-e Honar-e No), Tehran, Iran
Oct. 24, 2014, Timeless Words calligraphy workshop and exhibition, University of Toronto, Canada
March 14- April 12, 2015, the 5th International Exhibition of Calligraphy 2015, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy in Moscow, Russia
WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, LECTURES, DEMONSTRATIONS
July 16, 2015
Calligraphy demonstration and live painting composition, Neekon Gala, Palo Alto, CA
June 30, 2015
Arabic-Persian calligraphy workshop, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA
June 20, 2015
Traditional Persian Calligraphy and Painting workshop series jointly with Maryam Vesal and Navid Bazargan, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
June 19, 2015
Persian calligraphy workshop jointly with Navid Bazargan, Persian Center, Berkeley, CA
May 1-2, 2015
Calligraphy workshop jointly with Navid Bazargan, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California, Oakland, CA
March 15, 2015
Arabic-Persian Calligraphy Masterclass, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy in Moscow, Russia
Feb. 4, 2015
Kufic Calligraphy Workshop, Azad University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Dec 12, 2014
Calligraphy workshop, Northstar School, Union City, CA
Dec 7, 2014
Calligraphy Alive, calligraphy demonstration and exhibition, Fremont Main Library, Fremont, CA
Dec 3, 2014
Traditional Calligraphy Demonstration, University of California at Berkeley
Oct. 24, 2014
Timeless Words calligraphy workshop and exhibition, University of Toronto, Canada
July 3, 2014
Calligraphy workshop for students of Understanding Art History from Sacred Heart School of Atherton, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
June- July 2014
Calligraphy and tile making workshop series for youth, Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA
May 29, 2014
Artist talk and calligraphy demonstration at Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC) for visiting students from Malaysia, “Flag Stories: Citizenship Unbound” international youth art education program in partnership with SOMArts Cultural Center and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
May 10, 2014
Street-style calligraphy demonstration in Little Kabul district, Fremont, CA
April 26, 2014
“Trees of Fall” calligraphy workshop and exhibition, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
April 12, 2014
Artist demonstration and talk, jointly with Justin Hoover curator of SOMArts Center, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
Feb 13, 2014
“A Calligraphic Dialogue”, joint workshop with Japanese master calligrapher Uehira Baikei, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
May 11, 2013
Intercultural Calligraphy Workshop for youth in partnership with Arabic-Persian calligraphy master Zubair Simab and Latin and Hebrew calligrapher Alex Madonik, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
April 20, 2013
Mural Workshop for Youth in Partnership with Mural Instructor Miranda Bergman, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland
Feb.- March, 2013
Introduction Classes to Arabic and Persian Script Calligraphy, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
Nov. 15, 2012
“Dancing Words”, Arabic Calligraphy Workshop, American Islamic College, Chicago, IL
Nov. 10, 2012
Introduction to Thuluth Style of Calligraphy workshop as part of Doorways to Islamic Civilization, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
Oct. 21, 2012
Lecture at Interfaith Gathering on Islamic Calligraphy and Art, Congregational Church, Stamford, CT
Oct. 5, 2012
“Connecting the Worlds with Words: Intercultural Calligraphy Demonstration”, jointly with Rabbi David Cooper, a Hebrew calligrapher, and Masaki Matsubara, visiting professor of University of California at Berkeley and a Japanese calligrapher, at the Annual Faith Trio Harvest Dinner, Kehilla Community Synagogue, Oakland, CA
Sept.- Dec., 2009
Guest Lecturer of Basic Design Class, Fine Arts Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
SELECTED RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
July 2015
“We Are the Bridge” book of the Interfaith Art Exhibition Third Biennial, Curated and Edited by Arash Shirinbab, GoldenElm Publication and Ziya Art Center, USA
November 2014
“Freedom and Enlightenment” exhibition book, Curated and Edited by Arash Shirinbab, GoldenElm Publication and Ziya Art Center, USA
Oct. 16-18, 2014
“Scripture or Art Instruction? A Study of the Fakhr al-Ashraaf’s Lithographed Quran and its Calligraphy Treatise”, the Fourth Historians of Islamic Art Association (HIAA) Biennial Symposium, Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada
July 2014
“Calligraphies in Conversation” exhibition book, Edited by Arash Shirinbab, GoldenElm Publication and Ziya Art Center, USA
“Link of Management and Art”, National Artistic Management Seminar by Cinema House (Khane Cinema), Published in the conference proceedings, Tehran, Iran
Dec. 2008
"Theories of Using Islamic-Persian Identity in Urban Furniture", Second Festival of Selecting Elites of Research and Renovation in Urban Management, Tehran Urban Planning and Research Center, Tehran, Iran
Oct. 2008
"The Elements and Principles in Shia’s Art", The International Conference of Iranian Culture in Past, Now, and Future. Tehran, Iran; Published in the conference proceedings
June 30, 2015, Arabic-Persian calligraphy workshop, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA
SELECTED ART ADMINISTRATION PROJECTS
Aug. 2014- June 2015
Art & Culture Programs in San Francisco Bay Area including ten public programs at Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland:
- “I&I: Poetry, Identity and Spirituality”, Amir Sulaiman’s first full day poetry workshop, Oct. 26, 2014
- Traditional Persian Painting (Tazheeb) Workshop by Maryam Vesal, Nov. 22, 2014
- Persian Carpet Day, Dec. 6, 2014
- Book reading with Professor Abdullah Saeed, “Reading the Qur'an in the Twenty-First Century”, Dec. 11, 2014
- “Out of Tunality”, Music Concert by Echomerz Ensemble, Jan. 30, 2015
- “I&I: Poetry, Identity and Spirituality”, Amir Sulaiman’s second full day poetry workshop, Feb. 22, 2015
- Islam & Authors book reading with Dr. Ejaz Naqvi, “The Quran: With or Against the Bible?”, Feb. 28, 2015
- Nowruz Spring Festival (Celebration of the Persian New Year), March 14, 2015
- UNVEILED Play by Rohina Malik, April 25, 2015
- "Art and Design: Islamic Geometric Patterns" workshop with Carol Bier, May 16, 2014
- Traditional Persian Painting (Tazheeb) Workshop by Maryam Vesal, Nov. 22, 2014
- Persian Carpet Day, Dec. 6, 2014
- Book reading with Professor Abdullah Saeed, “Reading the Qur'an in the Twenty-First Century”, Dec. 11, 2014
- “Out of Tunality”, Music Concert by Echomerz Ensemble, Jan. 30, 2015
- “I&I: Poetry, Identity and Spirituality”, Amir Sulaiman’s second full day poetry workshop, Feb. 22, 2015
- Islam & Authors book reading with Dr. Ejaz Naqvi, “The Quran: With or Against the Bible?”, Feb. 28, 2015
- Nowruz Spring Festival (Celebration of the Persian New Year), March 14, 2015
- UNVEILED Play by Rohina Malik, April 25, 2015
- "Art and Design: Islamic Geometric Patterns" workshop with Carol Bier, May 16, 2014
Feb. 2013- July 2014
“Cyan Tiles” project in collaboration with American Muslim Association and Muslim Community Association; Project included two parts:
- Producing hand-crafted tiles for the Gadding Mosque of the American Muslim Association in Hayward,
- Series of calligraphy and tile making workshop, Muslim Community Association, June- July 2014
- Series of calligraphy and tile making workshop, Muslim Community Association, June- July 2014
Oct. 2012- June 2013
Cultures of the Bay programs in collaboration with Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Zawaya and Aswat organizations, Ziya Art Center, and Mevlevi Order of America; Project included six public programs at ICCNC:
- “A Night with Hafiz, a 14th-century Persian Mystic and Poet” on March 30, 2013
- “Celebration of Nowruz, Traditional Persian New Year” on March 16, 2013
- “Celebration of African American History and Civilization” on February 9, 2013
- “Doorways to Islamic Civilization” on Novembr 9 to 11, 2013
- “Traditional Persian Celebration of the Winter Solicited Called Yalda Night” on December 15, 2012
- “Turkish Sema Dance Ceremony” offered by Mevlevi Order of America on December 7, 2012
- “Celebration of Nowruz, Traditional Persian New Year” on March 16, 2013
- “Celebration of African American History and Civilization” on February 9, 2013
- “Doorways to Islamic Civilization” on Novembr 9 to 11, 2013
- “Traditional Persian Celebration of the Winter Solicited Called Yalda Night” on December 15, 2012
- “Turkish Sema Dance Ceremony” offered by Mevlevi Order of America on December 7, 2012
Nov. 2012- May 2013
“Islam and Authors” educational project hosted by Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC); Project included six public programs at ICCNC:
- Professor William C. Chittick, “In Search of the Lost Heart: Explorations in Islamic Thoughts”, on May 4, 2013
- Dr. Peter Gottoschalk, “Islamophobia”, on April 13, 2013
- Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, “Green Deen: What Islam Teaches us about Protecting the Planet”, February 23, 2013
- Kambiz GhaneaBassiri, "A History of Islam in America: From the New World to the New World Order", on January 19, 2013
- Sumbul Ali-Karamali, “Growing up Muslim: Understanding the Beliefs and Practices of Islam”, December 1, 2013
- Phil Pasquini, "Domes, Arches and Minarets – A History of Islamic-Inspired Buildings in America", on November 3, 2012
- Dr. Peter Gottoschalk, “Islamophobia”, on April 13, 2013
- Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, “Green Deen: What Islam Teaches us about Protecting the Planet”, February 23, 2013
- Kambiz GhaneaBassiri, "A History of Islam in America: From the New World to the New World Order", on January 19, 2013
- Sumbul Ali-Karamali, “Growing up Muslim: Understanding the Beliefs and Practices of Islam”, December 1, 2013
- Phil Pasquini, "Domes, Arches and Minarets – A History of Islamic-Inspired Buildings in America", on November 3, 2012
Mar. 2013- Feb. 2014
Middle East Family Movie Night programs hosted by Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC) in partnership with KQED, Arab Cultural and Community Center, Arab Film Festival and Yalla Arabi Meet-up group; Project included six public programs:
- “The Light in Her Eyes”, award winning documentary, March 2, 2013
- “Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World” by Michael Wolfe, May 18, 2013
- “Arab American Stories”, an episode of the new series from Detroit Public Television, October 29, 2013
- “The Last Step”, director Ali Mosaffa and starring Leila Hatami, November 1, 2013
- “Young Adult Short Films”, December 7, 2013
- “An American Mosque” by David Washburn, February 22, 2014
- “Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World” by Michael Wolfe, May 18, 2013
- “Arab American Stories”, an episode of the new series from Detroit Public Television, October 29, 2013
- “The Last Step”, director Ali Mosaffa and starring Leila Hatami, November 1, 2013
- “Young Adult Short Films”, December 7, 2013
- “An American Mosque” by David Washburn, February 22, 2014
Sept. 26, 2015, Pop-up exhibition at the Music Concourse of Golden Gate Park through Neekon Festival were Shirinbab served as Director of Visual Arts and Chief Curator of the exhibition, San Francisco, CA
Sept. 19, 2015, Persian calligraphy, Persian painting, and Persian carpet workshops and demonstrations by Shirinbab and his team (Farzaneh Farid Moayer and Fatemeh Rezaeefar) at Oakley's Annual Festival, CA
PROFESSIONAL WORKING EXPERIENCES
April 2011- Present
Co-founder and Executive Director of Ziya Multicultural Art Center, Berkeley
May 2013- June 2015
Co-founder and Co-director of Society of Arabic Script Calligraphers in America (SASCA), Berkeley and Washington, USA
May 2012- August 2015
Director of Art and Culture at the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), Oakland, CA
Oct. 2011- May 2012
Brand Strategist and Communication Design Intern at La Cocina, San Francisco, CA
May 2011- May 2013
Founder and freelance designer at Arash Design Studio, Berkeley, CA
June 2007- July 2010
Product Manager and Graphic Designer at Neda Mahya Group Co., Tehran, Iran
Aug. 2005- May 2010
Founder and Principal at The Seventh Designer, Tehran, Iran
Sept. 2002- May 2005
Co-founder and Member of the Directorate at Creativity Center for Students at University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Exhibitions