Helia Gharegozloo was born in 1990 in Tehran. She graduated in sculpture from Tehran University of Art, specializing in crafting mari- onettes and stop-motion puppets. With experience as a puppeteer in various cinema and theater pro- jects, she currently shares her expertise by teaching puppetry and curating marionette puppet exhibitions.
From the artist’s perspective:
In this exhibition, I have assembled a collection of over 40 marionette dolls depicting prominent artists from art history, including figures like Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Frida Kahlo. While we are familiar with their names and artworks from history books, I was intrigued by the idea of capturing the essence of each artist’s personality through this collection. i aimed to explore how each artist, beyond their artworks, could them- selves become works of art. It’s the unique qualities within each artist that set them apart from others. A doll is universally recognizable and evokes memories spanning age and geography. By choosing dolls as my medium, I aim to create sculptures that are tangible and relatable, allowing the audience to easily connect with- out being encumbered by technical or formal complexities. The use of marionette and puppet techniques adds a theatrical element, inviting the audience to interact with the sculptures—holding, moving, and even playing with them. This interactive experience brings the famous names of art history within reach, allowing them to be easily touched and manipulated, bridging the gap between these iconic figures and our own lives. As we contemplate “Which one is a doll?”, we are confronted with the emotions and memories that the concept of a doll evokes, blurring the lines between art and reality.