Darvish Fakhr: Brighton-based artist
This month we chat to Darvish Fakhr, a Brighton-based artist whose celebrated work ranges from painting to movement art. Much of his performance work explores ‘The Lightness of Being’, a series made in collaboration with photographer Hugh Fox.
Your work often encourages people to pause and see the familiar differently. Has there ever been a moment when a complete stranger’s reaction to one of your performances changed the way you thought about your own art?
When I was younger in NYC I was practising in the streets and out of the corner of my eye I noticed this beautiful woman staring at me from inside a hair salon. But my movements became laboured and lacked fluidity. I started ‘performing’ rather than listening to the music, in an attempt to impress her. I was trying too hard but no matter what I did she was transfixed on me, so I kept going. After an hour or so when I ran out of steam, I walked near the hairdresser only to realise that my admirer was just a wig mannequin. This experience had a profound spiritual effect on me in relation to the perceived ‘self’.
The themes of freedom and lightness run through much of your work, yet we’re living in an increasingly divided and fast-moving world. Do you think art has a responsibility to offer hope or simply to ask difficult questions?
I feel culturally we are wired to be very hard on ourselves, which seems to be only increasing. I am trying to do the opposite and say ‘take it easy on yourselves’. It wasn’t until I started to apply this attitude to myself that my art began bearing fruit. I’m not here for very long but while I am I want to bring some joy, it’s really that simple.
Brighton has long been your creative home. Is there something about the city’s energy that still feeds your imagination, or do you now find inspiration in the quieter moments away from the crowds?
My mother was born here and I used to visit as a child. I believe I was the first person to rollerblade here, back in the early 80s. Brighton is fertile soil for creativity. The Prince Regent set the stage for us, so eccentricity and tolerance has a lot to do with it. As a performance artist Brighton feels like a blank canvas waiting to see what I paint. My favourite spot is Brighton Station, the floor is perfect. Just as the Dude abides, Brighton provides.
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