“What’s up Next?” is a series of articles and interviews meant to better showcase the trajectories of our Next Talents.
We are meeting the 2024-2025 generation in two key moments: at the start of their trajectory – focussing on finding out more about the artists and what they expect from the program, and at the end of their course, discussing the things they picked up on the way.
With this first interview we are introducing you to illustrator, author and animation director Narjes Mohammadi.
Narjes Mohammadi is a visual artist and author working in animation and picture books illustration. Storytelling and attending to details are underlying themes throughout Narjes’s practice. “I was born in Iran where art and literature have an important role in the culture” she says. “I grew up reading many books and watching animations. So, I immersed myself in the world of characters from an early age. At school, I studied Graphic Design at first but I wanted to do something more related to the imagination. So, I continued my way into the art world as an illustrator and created many books. Then I wrote and illustrated a book named What a Brilliant Idea! in 2016 which was translated into 6 languages and nominated for many prizes. In 2021, I started my new role as an animation and motion maker and created an animation, Hi!. It was selected in 40 national and international festivals.”
We asked Narjes to tell us more about a project close to her heart. While she found it difficult to choose just one of her “children” to put in the spotlight, Narjes did mention Hi! contributed to a journey of self-discovery, leaving her comfort zone and trying out new things. “It helped me to come out of my cave and explore a bigger and brighter world” she explains. “This animation is about a child who has ADD. Actually, it’s based on my own experience. I had the same challenges not only in my childhood but also in my adulthood whenever I entered into a new space and met a group of new people. By making this animation I found a solution to this challenge and now I feel more confident in making friends and connecting with new people.”
Talking about the projects she enjoys working on in general, Narjes mentions “I mainly like to make books and animations for children to help them know themselves and have a better life but, at the same time, I also like to make commercial things because they are more challenging and prompt me to find solutions. It’s kind of a game for me.”
We also picked her brain about other artists inspiring her: “I like many artists, I cannot choose only one. I admire Picasso, for example, because of his profession in presenting his work. I admire Frida because she was so brave. Matisse: for the forms and colours in his art, and Oliver Jeffers because of the storytelling in his artwork.” The latter would also be one of Narjes dream Next Talent mentors, if she could have any artist in the world.
Discussing her plans about her Next trajectory, she likes to keep things short and sweet. “I would like to level up to a professional artist” Narjes says.
We already think she is an amazing creator and we cannot wait to see the ways the program will help Narjes further develop!
