This speaker event is recorded live on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 3 pm in the Rackham Ampitheatre, Ann Arbor, MI.
Iranian artist Orkideh Torabi’s work is a captivating exploration of the intersection of personal narratives, cultural heritage, and societal norms. Through her vibrant and intricate paintings, Torabi challenges traditional notions of femininity, power dynamics, and identity. Her unique artistic style blends elements of Persian miniature painting with contemporary imagery, blurring the boundaries between the past and the present.
Drawing inspiration from her Iranian heritage, Torabi explores themes of cultural identity, diaspora, and the tension between tradition and modernity. In her artistic practice, she embraces the role of a storyteller, recognizing the integral role that narration plays in her paintings. For her, the canvas becomes a stage, and her paintings take on the essence of a captivating play or theatrical scene, with these characters serving as the ensemble cast, each playing their distinct role.
The Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series Fall 2023 Season
This winter, the Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series brings respected leaders and innovators from a broad spectrum of creative fields to Ann Arbor’s historic Michigan Theater for weekly in-person events.
Detroit Public Television and PBS Books, in partnership with the Stamps School, will stream each week’s event Fridays at 8pm.
See the full schedule of events livestreamed by PBS Books here.
Some programs may not be available online, depending on artist requests. Interested in receiving notifications before online videos go live? Sign up to receive a reminder before each event begins streaming.
