Simin followed her dream to paint for a living. today her art is a top seller at global village.
As a child, she loved to paint. She loved to let her imagination soar. But she could not, for her priority was to survive from day to day.
Today, that 10-year-old is finally living her dream. Simin Tajaik is the proud exhibitor of her own paintings at the Iranian pavilion in Global Village.
It took Simin almost 40 years and incredible determination to get to where she is today.
She said: "I never considered painting as a source of income." It was difficult for artists to establish themselves in Iran and Simin had other priorities.
Hard work
"I had to help support my family because we were almost broke," she said.She worked as a ticketing officer for Iran Air for almost five years, but continued to paint as a hobby.
It wasn't long before she gained local recognition for her unique talent, and was finally discovered by an Iranian art teacher, Esmail Askari.
Although she began painting professionally late in life, Simin said she always knew she wanted to be an artist. "I had so much sadness and hardship in my life, I needed an outlet — I found it in art," she said.
Capturing reality
With paintings that capture reality and make use of vivid colours, Simin says her art expresses life as she sees it: "Reality is not perfect and I am not perfect — so why should my paintings be?"
Large images of decaying walls in the shadow of blossoming trees adorn her exhibition stall at the Global Village.
Drawing inspiration from her life in Iran, but reluctant to recall her past, Simin is the eternal optimist: "My past will remain in the past, but it has taught me that even in the most tragic things there is beauty.
It's my job to show that through my art."She believes in the power of imagination and says it plays an important role in adding hades and hues to her work.
"The longest I ever took to do one painting is 45 days," she said, pointing to a canvas illustration of a vibrant carpet draped over a chair in a dark room.
For Simin, searching for novel and innovative ways to improve paintings is an essential part of the artistic profession.
Three-dimensional images are her forté at the moment.
"Sometimes my paintings flow onto the frame itself, and it gives a beautiful, realistic effect that many people appreciate," she said.
Simin credits her art teacher for developing her talent. She said: "Everyone back home supported me when I said I wanted to paint for a living, but Askari helped me to actually do it."
Autumn colours
Her preferred — and best selling — work of art is based on a theme that she has come to associate with her own life — the season of autumn.
"Red, orange, yellow and brown are colours that form ‘the landscape of my life'," Simin said.
Having captivated most of Tehran through small exhibitions, Simin's work caught the attention of a man who, she claims, transformed her life.
In 1999, Emirati businessman Mohammad Shaikh sponsored the artist and helped bring her into the world arena — in Dubai. "After God, I am indebted to him," she said.
"I found peace, home and family here [UAE], and I am very grateful, but it doesn't stop here — there's still a long way to go."
