I am obsessively fascinated with objects and or beings; birds and other creatures, in numbers and multiples as is seen in the theme of my works such as:

- the dead dogs, Road Kill, where I made 150 prostrate terracotta (crushed and ran-over) dogs which were consequently buried as in a grave, on a piece of land in my home town Tehran, where now a high rise is built upon. The whole process of the burial has been filmed to be screened in a form of a large video projection.

- the plaster crows of which there were 200, a part of a group artists' show (ephemeral art exhibition) in which the artists ventured out on conceptualizing a house, situated in the city of Tehran, in the vicinity of Hosseinieh Ershad Mosque, due for demolition. Most of the crows were destroyed in the process of demolishing the abandoned house.

- the ceramic roaches, 2 thousand odd, which are still increasing in number (breeding as roaches do!) for the next shows and venues to come.

­ 34 life size plaster sculptures of children made for the exhibition Children Of The Dark City, a multimedia installation of sculptures, video, photography and painting about the harmful effects of air pollution on children.

I initially start with drawing, photographing and studying a subject of interest to me which usually tends to be in abundance in my surroundings. At times the concept is not fully developed and only presents itself as vague sketches, it takes form and matures as the work proceeds. The choice of materials is dependant upon cost and availability. Most importantly on how the work permits freedom of form and expression which coincides with my idea.The works are usually untitled and speak for themselves. It is the response of the beholder which ultimately defines the work.

Various ideas and interpretations aroused in viewers quickly become part of my own. The significance of the specific display is therefore fluid.

As it has been the case in many of the venues in which I have participated, my works could be and have been reconstructed to fit each individual space.

And now the Lizzard!? The lizard as a symbol has many diverse applications. It is inclusive and expansive. It can become ambivalent and polyvalent or both revealing and concealing.

Art is not about art, art is about life
(Lousie Bourgeois).

Bita Fayyazi, born in 1962 in Tehran. Sixteen years of work experience in ceramics, sculpture and relief tile-making. She has participated in art exhibitions and venues in Tehran, Isfahan, London, Copenhagen, New Dehli, and Beirut. She usually works on collaborative projects with other fellow artists.She lives and works in Tehran

bita_ir@yahoo.co.uk