People take up art for various reasons. For some it is a life-long passion, for others it is just a hobby and for yet others, it is the only way to express their views, feelings and ideas to transform the world.

Tala Afshin, a young artist from Iran, has been a resident of Mysore city since six years. Hailing from Mashhad city in Iran, the 30-year-old bubbling Tala is fond of painting in sombre colours.

With a passion for painting since teenage, Tala took up Graphic Design in high school itself, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Painting from the University of Applied Science and Technology in Iran.

Tala came to Mysore in 2006 and joined Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) course in Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA). She later completed MFA in Sri Allamaprabhu Lalithakala Academy.

She has displayed her paintings in various exhibitions including a group show in Mashhad city (2004), a group show in Whitefield, Bangalore (2007) and in Sublime Gallery of UB City in Bangalore (November, 2011).

Apart from painting, Tala’s hobbies include interior designing, which she learnt while working with her brothers and father who are architects.

She says when she came to Mysore in 2006, she immediately fell in love with the city and this country. Hence she joined CAVA to continue her fine art course as she wanted to stay here and enjoy the hospitality and culture of the people.

Tala says nature is her best teacher in painting which reveals itself to her in its myriad forms. She loves to draw abstract art as abstraction differs greatly than most traditional styles of art because it is more focused on the use of imagination or ideas expressed through emotion.

When asked how she defines art, Tala opines that art is a creative way of expressing a modified view of the world and its objects by simplifying or complicating the use of colour, shape and form.

She says there is a real power in terms of making a connection with people, if the artist applies discipline and works from an authentic form of creativity and expression, whether it be through the use of colour, a mixed media form, figure or shape manipulation…

Art, she adds, is creativity; therefore no single form of art could really be more creative than another form of art.

Tala Afshin has a wonderful imagination, diving into colours to signify her innermost feelings and the moods of life. Her passion to paint is immensely inspired by a person’s adaptation to the changing circumstances in one’s journey of life.

Her paintings portraying women are seductive, revealing the inner thoughts of the character with an alluring body language and facial expression.

Tala, meaning ‘Gold’ in Persian, has been embodied into her art with vibrant hues of colour adding glimmer and richness like gold.

Tala Afshin is not the only person in her family who loves Mysore. Her sister Mona is studying BDS in JSS Dental College in the city.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / by Shwetha Halambi  / January 22nd, 2012