Exhibition: In Search of the Third Feather of Simurgh

In Search of the Third Feather of Simurgh - The Simurgh, in Iranian art and mythology is a winged creature in the shape of a bird, gigantic enough to carry off an elephant. Appearing as a peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion - occasionally with a human face, the Simurgh is inherently benevolent and unambiguously female.

A mythological hero, adopted and raised by the Simurgh after being abandoned in infancy by his father, is gifted three golden feathers when, as an adult, he departs the Simurgh for the world. Each feather is magically imbued with the positive power to provide safety, freedom, peace, and well-being.

Impacted by the shadow of Iran's oppressive regime, Siadate's art alludes to the plight of those held hostage by aesthetically echoing suffering through the harsh corridors of their despair. Yet, amid the despair, a glimmer of hope takes flight, embodied by the legendary, fabled bird, Simurgh. As the symbol of resilience and courage, the Simurgh extends its wings over those imprisoned, offering them solace and a glimpse of liberation. Its mythical presence serves as a beacon of solidarity, reminding viewers that the hostages are not forgotten and that the collective spirit of humanity stands with them in their struggle for freedom.

Soheila Siadate was born and raised in Iran and received her diploma in business from Farah Pahlavi Technical School in Tehran. At the age of 25, she immigrated to the US where she lived in Los Angeles for some time and now resides in Orange County. Since her early childhood years, Soheila was creating little sculptures and loved art, but it wasn't until the age of 20 that she professionally became a fiber artist and started selling her wearable art.

Enduring a roller coaster of life, and changing experiences made Soheila strong and gave her a will to fight against oppression and survive hardships. It was 4 years after the revolution in Iran at the age of 25, due to unjust social pressure, that Soheila considered looking elsewhere to live and she finally decided to move to LA. The challenges didn't end there. Life as an immigrant in a new country was so different from the one she left. It only made her more determined to pursue her dream of living the life of an artist so she began her education in art. Years later she completed her BFA in fiber art from California University of Long Beach.