About

the

Body

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Ph.D. The Pennsylvania State University, PA, United States, Aug 2018 – May 2023

M.F.A. The Pennsylvania State University, PA, United States, Aug 2015 – May 2017

M.A. The University of Art, Tehran, Iran, Aug 2007 – May 2010

B.F.A Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, Aug 2002 – May 2006

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES

Research Assistant, Penn State University, Aug 2021 – May 2023

Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Education Initiative

Teacher Assistant, Penn State University, Jan 2021 – May 2021

Introduction to Visual Arts (ART001, online)

Fixed Term Instructor, Penn State University, Jan 2020 – May 2020

Beginning Oil Painting (ART 250)

Teacher Assistant, Penn State University, Aug 2018 – Dec 2019

Introduction to Drawing (ART 20, online)

Fixed Term Instructor, Penn State University, Jul 2017 – Jul 2018

Introduction to Drawing (ART 20)

Teacher Assistant, Penn State University, Aug 2015 – May 2017, Introduction to Drawing (ART 20, online)

Fixed Term Instructor, Payame Noor University, Yazd, Iran, Aug. 2013 – Dec. 2013, Handicrafts in Iran and Worldwide

Fixed Term Instructor, Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran, Aug. 2012 – Dec. 2012, Islamic Art

Teacher Assistant, Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran, Jan 2011 – May. 2011, Introduction to Sculpture

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • Beyond Country, Within Gender” The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, Lemont, Aug 2023

  • I am still doing well!” Humpday Gallery, Penn State University, Nov 2018

  • Pendulum of Identity,” Edwin. W. Zoller Gallery, Penn State University, May 2017

  • No Goddess Stands Alone,” Shalman Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, Dec 2014

  • Free Goddess,” Faryad Gallery, Kerman, Iran, May 2013

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

  • Graduate VR Exhibition,” CPAD Lab, Penn State University, March 2023

  • Art at The Center: Transdisciplinary Creativity,” Borland Project Space, Penn State University, October 2019

  • That’s What She Said,” Edwin. W. Zoller Gallery, Penn State University, March 2019

  • About the Body” A mini art show for the Overlap: Full Circle exhibition, Penn State University, December 2018

  • Transformed: Digital to Corporeal,” The Kresge Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton, PA, May 2018

  • Curated Exhibition: “Spring Fever,” Humpday Gallery, Penn State University, February 2018

  • The 32nd Graduate Research Exhibition, HUB-Robeson Gallery, Penn State University, April 2017

  • Pattern Recognition,” Woskob Family Gallery, State College, PA, January 2017

  • Hand Candy, A Ceramic Lending Library,” Patterson Gallery, Penn State University, Nov 2016

  • In Between” Group Installation, Humpday Gallery, Penn State University, October 2016

  • Representing Nittany: Travelling Exhibition,” The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, Lemont Arts Festival, Lemont, PA, Sept 2016

SELECTED ARTWORK COLLECTIONS, PUBLICATIONS, AND INTERVIEWS

SELECTED HONORS, MEMBERSHIPS, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

  • Coordinator and organizer of “Voices of Resilience” performance art in Solidarity with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” Movement in Iran, Penn State University, Oct 2022

  • The Vice President of Iranian Student Association (ISA), Penn State University, Feb 2020 – 2022

  • Presenter and Active National Art Education Association (NAEA) Member, Nov 2019-2023

  • Member of Graduate Art Education Association (GAEDA), Penn State University, Aug 2018-2023

  • Member of College Art Association (CAA), October 2018-2020

  • Recipient of Graham Fellowship, Penn State University, Aug 2015

I am interested in how the body responds to different emotions, often in ways that are immediate and beyond our control. By isolating and simplifying these bodily reactions, I separate them from a specific emotion or story, leaving space for memory to recognize what the body has lived through.

The Points, 2018, Acrylic on sculpted Canvas

In these works, I think of the body as a place where sexuality, sexual identity, bodily memory, and vulnerability are continuously redefined. I use defamiliarization to approach parts of the body almost as objects, taking them out of their familiar context and allowing their form, color, surface, and material to carry the emotional weight. In this way, fragmented forms and altered surfaces create a tension between detachment and intimacy, familiarity and estrangement.

About

the

Body

About the Body explores what remains when the body is no longer shown as a whole. My focus is on bodily experiences and traces, from pressure and touch to tightness, blushing, stretching, and exposure.

State Owned I, II, 2023, Acrylic on sculpted Canvas

The Hidden Point III, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Hidden Point II, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Hidden Point I, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Labyrinth, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Life Line, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

Spanked, 2019, Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Bloom, 2019, Acrylic on sculpted canvas

State Owned I, II, 2023,

Acrylic on sculpted Canvas

The Hidden Point I, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Hidden Point III, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Hidden Point II, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Labyrinth, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Life Line, 2018,

Acrylic on sculpted canvas

Spanked, 2019, Acrylic on sculpted canvas

The Bloom, 2019, Acrylic on sculpted canvas

© 2025 ELHAM HAJESMAEILI . All Rights Reserved.

ELHAM HAJESMAEILI

Iranian artist based in the United States