Artist Statement: I incorporated two of my other series into one piece to create a Persian take on a familiar face. I utilized copper leaf, oil, and acrylic paint, manipulating both to produce a patina but with a bold and fun look, focusing on the natural shapes and designs of the piano and wood grain texture to highlight its natural beauty.
Dana Nehdaran was born in Isfahan, Iran on the anniversary of his maternal grandfather’s death in 1982. He took his given name, Rahmatollah, from his grandfather who was an art, antique, and rare gem merchant; however, he has always been known by his Persian name, Dana, meaning wise. As a child, Dana took great wonder and inspiration from his family’s passion for art and became motivated to study painting after discovering an uncle’s discarded box of art supplies at his grandmother’s house. Dana's mother enrolled him in private art classes with Hassanpour, a well-known artist who taught Dana fundamentals of art that would eventually lead him to study painting at the Soureh Art University in Shiraz. The most recent series, Esther’s Children, was shown in Tehran, Dubai, and Los Angeles. Dana has been a member of the Iranian Painter Association from 2007. Several works by the artist have been sold at auction, including 'From the Agitations of Pleasure series' sold in Tehran for $52,933.
