Bio
Shima Taj Bakhsh works in a range of media and is interested in nonlinear
narratives that shift from generation to generation and can be read through
fragments of architecture. The time-based sculptural configurations in her work
represent a constant liminal state wherein cultural and social edges rub up against
other edges, encounter other timelines, and bridge histories. Much of her work is
concerned with questioning the material conditions of bodies and borders.
Following a year-long residency at the Umbrella Arts Center, she is currently serving
as an Artist-in-Residence at the Boston Center for the Arts (2025–2028). In 2025,
she was selected as a Fellow by the Artists for Humanity organization, a role
culminating in a collaboration with the Peabody Essex Museum that includes a
group exhibition and an artist talk on sustainable art practices. In the same year,
she was awarded a Mass Cultural Council Grant for Creative Individuals.
Her work has been exhibited at Human Resources Los Angeles, the Torrance Art Museum,
the Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum and the Second Contemporary
Art Biennale at the Niavaran Cultural Center.
Born, Iran
Lives and works in Boston, MA
CONTACT:
Shima.TajBakhsh@gmail.com
Education
2020 MFA, California State University Long Beach, Sculpture/4D
2015 BFA, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, Sculpture
Muesum commisions
2025 Empire Waste, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
Awards
2025 Tiger Strikes Asteroid, New York, and Transmitter Gallery residency finalist, New York, NY
2023 The Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Solo Show Finalist, Los Angeles, CA
2023 Prospect Art, New Work finalist, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Distinguished Achievement in Creative Activity Award, CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2019 Windes Corporate Gallery Award, Long Beach, CA
2019 The Richard & Johnna Baker Scholarship 2018
2018 John Baldessari Scholarship, Long Beach, CA
Exhibitions
Solo
2019 Gatov Gallery, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
2019 Dutzi Gallery, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
2015 Tehran Gallery, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Group
2022 Apparitions, Human Resources Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2021 High Beans # 4, Level Ground Collective, Torrance Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Walking, Project 13, Virtual Exhibition
2021 Now Trending: 5th Annual Alpay Scholarship Exhibition, Palos Verdes Art Center, CA
2021 Walking, Project 13, Virtual Exhibition
2021 Insights 2021, Kleefeld Contemporary (formerly University Art Museum), Long Beach, CA
2019 Insights 2019, Kleefeld Contemporary (formerly University Art Museum), Long Beach, CA
2018 The Soul Hole, Marilyn Werby Gallery, CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2018 Raced and Othered, Max L. Gatov Gallery West, CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2018 Insights 2018, Kleefeld Contemporary (formerly University Art Museum), Long Beach, CA
2018 Advancement Group Show, Max L. Gatov Gallery West, CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2018 CSULB President’s House Display, CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2015 University of Tehran’s Sculpture Exhibition, Iranian Artists Organization, Tehran, Iran
2014 University of Tehran’s Sculpture Exhibition, Iranian Artists Organization, Tehran, Iran
2013 University of Tehran’s Sculpture Exhibition, Iranian Artists Organization, Tehran, Iran
2013 Annual Exhibition, Contemporary Art Museum of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Biennial
Collaboration
2022 score for here, courtesy of the artist Jimena Sarno, Los Angeles State Historic Park, Los Angeles, CA
Biennial
2016 Peace on Paper, Iran's second contemporary art biennale, Niavaran Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran
Symposia
2014 The 6th International Stone Symposium, Tehran, Iran
2013 The 5th International Stone Symposium, Tehran, Iran
Experience
2017/20 Digital Fabrication Tech for the Sculpture Department at COTA CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2020 Visiting Artist Coordinator, California State University, Long Beach
2019 Sculpture Shop Assistant, California State University, Long Beach
2019 Library Assistant, California State University Library, CSULB, Long Beach
2018/19 Artist Assistant, Artist Katie Grinnan, Los Angeles, CA
2018/19 Shop Assistant, For the CSULB Print Center at COTA, CSULB, Long Beach
2013/15 Member of The Students’ Scientific Society of Sculpture, University of Tehran, Iran
2014 Organizer, University of Tehran’s Sculpture Exhibition, Iranian Artists Organization, Tehran, Iran