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Habitat of monstera II (Self-portrait with yellow paisley jacket), 2023

Bahman Kermany

Darling Portrait Prize 2024 Finalist

oil on canvas (support: 65.0cm x 57.0cm. frame: 67.7cm x 57.7cm depth 3.8cm)

Bahman Kermany
born Iran 1984, Australia from 2000

Habitat of monstera II (Self-portrait with yellow paisley jacket) 2023
oil on canvas

‘To be completely honest, I don’t own a paisley jacket nor a monstera plant or even have a moustache. I fantasise what it would be like to have those things. This self portrait is part of an ongoing series where imaginative figures and landscape come together. The stylised moustache is a recurring motif symbolising my cultural heritage and imparting a hint of humour. These works ponder the purpose of the self portrait in a world where the race for fame across all types of media is on the rise.’

Iranian-born Bahman Kermany moved to Australia at the age of 16, and lives and works on Cammeraygal Land in Sydney. His practice engages with identity, heritage, social issues and the cultural and political conflicts of both Australia and Iran.


© The artist

Darling Portrait Prize 2024

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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