Textile-Referential Abstraction / Material Archiving

Fedra Yazdi’s practice interrogates the weight of displacement and its power to restructure the now. Operating through the lens of hauntology, she investigates the presence of the past as an active, structural force mapping how memory persists within the contemporary moment. She mobilizes the visual language of Gabbeh weavings as ancestral motifs for navigating this space.

In this framework, her figures act as ciphers rather than individual portraits, archetypes of a lost geography. These fragmented forms float within the linen’s structure, balanced between the order of the geometric boundaries and the emotion of the vibrant plane.

Methodologically, the work relies on a rigorous subtractive process. Using acrylic and gouache acrylic on unstretched linen, Yazdi builds up layers of pigment before sanding the surface down to a smooth, distinct finish.

Ultimately, the pictorial plane becomes the necessary architecture of home. By compressing the weight of displacement into a seamless surface, Yazdi secures a physical space for the hauntological presence of the past. Her work functions as a material index, proving that while the territory may be lost, the memory persists, anchored within the intense reality of the object.


Biography

Fedra is a contemporary artist best known for her evocation of identity, resilience, and hauntology. With a professional background in Film and Theater, she utilizes a strong foundation in storytelling and visual composition to bridge personal experience with universal themes of longing.

A self-taught painter, Fedra has spent over two decades developing a distinct visual language. Her practice evolved from early experiments with abstraction into a search for more authentic expression, resulting in the woven time series. Inspired by ancient textiles and cultural memory, this body of work engages with the framework of hauntology to explore how the past persists within the present.

Fedra’s work has been exhibited widely across the United States. Her paintings have been presented in major cities including New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Washington D.C., Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Portland, and San Diego.


Curriculum Vitae

Exhibitions:

  • Gallery B612, group exhibition, Seattle WA, March 2024
  • Gallery 114, juried group exhibition, Portland OR, May 2024
  • Las Laguna Art Gallery, group exhibition, Las Laguna, CA, June 2024
  • The Lab on Santa Fe, group exhibition, Denver CO, July 2024
  • Northwind Art-Jeanette Best Gallery, juried group exhibition, Port Townsend, WA,Sept 2024
  • Peninsula Art League, juried group exhibition, Gig harbor, WA, Oct 2024
  • Seattle Artist Trust - The 2025 Benefit Art Auction - March 2025
  • Northwind Art-Jeanette Best Gallery - Showcase exhibition, Port Townsend, WA, May 2025
  • Villa Musica, Solo Exhibition, San Diego, CA, July 2025
  • Gallery Route One, Visiting Artist: Solo Exhibition, Point Reyes, CA, Sept 2025
  • Sebastopol Center for the Arts, The 2025 Benefit Art Auction Sebastopol, CA, Sept 2025
  • Webster Arts, St. Louis, MO, Sept 2025
  • State of the Art Gallery, juried group exhibition, Ithaca, NY, Dec 2025
  • Mark Arts, juried group exhibition, Wichita, KS, Jan 2026
  • The Center for Contemporary Art, juried group exhibition, NJ, NJ, Jan 2026
  • Meadows Gallery, juried group exhibition, University of Texas, Feb 2026

Auctions:

  • Seattle Artist Trust - The 2025 Benefit Art Auction - March 2025 (Seattle Art Museum juried selection)
  • Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 2025 Benefit, Sebastopol, CA, Sept 2025 (Juried Selection)

Gallery Representation:

  • Buckhead Art & Company, Atlanta, GA, March 2025

Awards:

Finalist in Ten Moir Gallery's Open Theme art competition, Los Angeles, CA Aug 2024

Finalist in HMVC gallery Harmony and Diversity art competition, NYC, NY Sep 2024

3rd Place, Featured Artist for the 5 Elements Exhibition, Studio Art Magic, Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Publication:

Miserere Review, publish, Jan 2025 print (Canada & US) Canvas Rebel Magazine Dec 2024 (US) 

Bridge of Hope
Art Instructor
Bellevue, WA
June 2023 - Sept 2024

  • Teaching young adults with disability basic painting and mixed media concepts
  • Developed lesson plans tailored to student's needs and abilities, fostering an inclusive learning environment
  • Utilized adaptive teaching techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles and ensure all students could actively participate in the creative process.
  • Implemented innovative approaches to engage students in exploring various artistic mediums, such as acrylics, watercolors, and collage, enhancing their artistic skills and self-expression.
  • Organized and facilitated group discussions and critique sessions to encourage peer collaboration and constructive feedback among students, promoting growth and confidence in their artistic abilities.
  • Collaborated with support staff to address any specific challenges or accommodations necessary to optimize the learning experience for students with disabilities.
  • Maintained a supportive and encouraging atmosphere in the classroom, nurturing students' creativity and empowering them to express themselves through art with confidence and enthusiasm

Education: Evergreen State College, BFA