Sara Shamsavari is a British Iranian interdisciplinary artist based in London. Her work has been exhibited internationally for over 20 years in museums and public spaces including Southbank Centre, London, Museo Bardini in Florence and the Lowe Museum of Art, Miami. Sara has taught around the world and regularly lectures at Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Art leading art history courses that explore social change, ethics and engagement through art. She also delivers regular talks and workshops in museums and public spaces including the V&A, The Royal Photographic Society Library, National Gallery and Tate Britain.
Born in the midst of the Iranian Revolution, Sara recovered from infant cancer while fleeing war in Iran and was granted asylum at the age of two in the UK where she and her family have resided ever since. Her early experience surviving war and her rich Iranian heritage and upbringing in the UK has shaped her perspective and continues to inform her artistic subject matter. Shamsavari explores themes of global identity, inclusion and transformation.
Several of her photographic projects centre around challenging stereotypes and common preconceived judgements based on labels including appearance, culture and religion. Her calligraphic paintings are inner reflections of her own journey and the ongoing trauma faced by refugees and minorities around the world.
Sara’s work has been widely published in books and media including Aperture, Guardian, New York Times and the BBC. In 2024 she was the recipient of the Pioneer 20 award in recognition of her empowering photographic work on identity. Shamsavari’s work sits in various significant public and private collections including that Museum of Contemporary Photography Chicago and NoVo Foundation New York founded by Peter and Jenny Buffet. Artist Yinka Shonibare (CBE) also recognised Sara on the spine of a book in his “British Library” installation, naming migrants who have made a significant contribution to British culture.