BIOGRAPHY

SHWAN DLER QARADAKI

Shwan Dler Qaradaki is an artist who, through his work, draws attention to themes related to identity and being part of a multicultural world. He works with a wide range of techniques, including drawing, painting, photography, installation, and video. His works explore how the world is composed of countless different perspectives and the challenges this brings in encounters between people. Using a personal and poetic visual language with a clear political undertone, he addresses some of the most pressing social issues of our time. A curious and reflective approach is evident in all his projects, which in various ways seek to expand the understanding of what it means to live in today's society.

Originally from Kurdistan, Shwan came to Norway as a political refugee in 1999. His artistic projects are often based on his personal experiences but also reflect a larger reality. He completed a master's degree at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and the Art Academy in Sulaimani, and he is currently a doctoral research fellow at the same institution. In recent years, he has held numerous solo exhibitions, including at Kunstnerforbundet, Galleri LNM, Kunsthuset Kabuso, Tegnerforbundet, during the Festspillene i Nord-Norge, and at Oslo Museum.

Shwan's films and videos have been showcased at international festivals around the world. In 2021, they were presented at venues such as Human Rights Watch in New York, Rencontres Internationales in Paris, and the Tromsø International Film Festival. In 2020, he participated in the 17th Barcelona Film and Human Rights Festival, the 32nd Girona Film Festival, and the Tirana International Film Festival. In 2019, his works were shown at the 6th Firenze FilmCorti Festival in Florence and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. In 2018, he took part in the 29th São Paulo International Short Film Festival and the 3rd Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival in Frankfurt.

Through his work, Shwan has received several awards and grants, including the Oslo City's Art Award, the Norwegian Arts Council's Newcomer Award, and the Kistefos Art Prize (Autumn Exhibition Prize)

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