Meet Athena Jahantigh | Sculptore

We had the good fortune of connecting with Athena Jahantigh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Athena, what makes you happy? Why?
All these little moments when I appreciate life in general, but also my own life, that’s where I’m happy. Happiness above all is in the simplest things in life. Appreciating a beautiful spring day with nature awakening, reminding you that life goes on and is constantly renewed. Having people to love, having a job that is my passion, being able to enjoy life. Being able and wanting to continue and bounce back. Happiness for me is seeing and enjoying all of life’s little pleasures and enjoying them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Franco-Iranian sculptor-ceramist. I started my art studies in Iran, probably because my father was a painter and calligrapher. Studying art was a way to continue appreciating my father’s power of creation, and to follow in his steps in my own way. And then with the encouragement and support of my parents, I arrived in France in 2003 to continue my art studies. It was challenging and not easy to study in a language you don’t speak and in a new country, but at the same time one of the richest experiences of my life. It was at this time that I met my husband. Once my studies were finished, we decided to live in France. So that today I can work in my own studio, be confident in my art and in addition enjoy doing it, I have come a long way; worked in different workshops, tried to breakthrough and get to know the circle of ceramists and artists in France. Finding out which path to take, how to work and how to communicate with the public about my work. How to present my production and how to sell it. All of these things are not written about in a book and there is no miracle recipe. So, I made a lot of mistakes, but the most important thing was the desire to keep going, to start over and constantly improve. After high school, I wanted to do higher studies in art, and I dreamed of one day having my studio and being able to sell my creations. After the challenge of studying, came the difficult task of selling my work. I obtained my doctorate in art and today, and after many years sharing art studios, today I have my very own and I sell my sculptures all over the world. So yes, I am proud of the path I’ve taken, despite all its ups and downs. I still know I have a long way ahead of me, a lot to learn and improve, a lot to experience. And I’m already happy to have the desire to continue and move forward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Currently I am fortunate to live near Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, a beautiful region with a mild climate. Aix-en-Provence is not very far from the mountains, one hour’s drive from the Luberon with some of France’s most picturesque villages and the Mediterranean Sea is very close. The sublime walks of St Victoire mountain are at our doorstep. We can follow the footsteps of Cézanne, the famous painter from Aix-en-Provence. And let’s not forget the delicious French cuisine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, in life we grow, we learn and we move forward thanks to a group of people we have often or partly met on our path, who have accompanied us voluntarily or obligatorily, permanently or temporarily. I have benefited in my life from the love, friendship, teaching, sense of responsibility and dedication, and the desire to share from many people. But it is with the love, the existence and the limitless support of three people that I have advanced the most in life, my parents (Sharif Jahantigh and Anis Karimi) and my husband.

Website: https://www.athenajahan.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athenajahantigh

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/athena-jahantigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athena.jahantigh

Image Credits
For my portrait; © Gilles Leimdorfer For my Sculptures: © Athena Jahantigh