Illya Mousavijad is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Isfahan, Iran. He received his BFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and his MFA from Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. His art practice investigates the limits and extents of exile, border and identity politics, Middle Eastern history, exile literature, US and Iran relations. He works across varied media including installation, painting, video, and computer animation. He has collaborated with international artists of various disciplines and exhibited in Iran and the US. He is currently Visiting Assistant Professor in Art and Technology at the Ohio State University. 
 
Education

2021    Master of Fine Arts, Weitzman School pf Design, University of Pennsylvania
2018.   Bachelor of Fine Arts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2014    Graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy
 
Solo Exhibitions

2011    Namayeshgahe Asare Mousavijad, Issa Bahadori Gallery, Isfahan, Iran
            Namayeshgahe Asare Mousavijad, Apadana Gallery, Isfahan, Iran
 
Group Exhibitions

2021    Double Feature, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
2019    Woodmere 76th Annual Exhibition, Woodmere Museum, German town, PA 
2018    Without Roots We Are Nothing, Esther Klein Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
            We Got Used to New Us, Twelve Gates gallery, Philadelphia, PA
            PAFA: Now, NOBA Artspace, Bala Cynwyd, PA
2017    Crosscurrents, Annenberg Gallery, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
            Fold: Ten Conversations, Curated by Ivanco Talevski, C.R. Ettinger Gallery            
            Warming, PAFA, Philadelphia/ Chestnut Hill, PA
2016    Crosscurrent, Annenberg Gallery, PAFA, PA
            For in One, When Humanity Rains, 128 Gallery, PAFA, PA
            Happiness, Liberty, life, group exhibition, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2015    YoungArts Invitational, Flomenhaft Gallery, Chelsea, NY
            YoungArts Visual Arts Exhibition, Miami, FL
2014    Senior Thesis Show, Interlochen Arts Academy, MI
            Juried student Exhibition, Interlochen Arts Academy, MI
            Oliver’s Grope Show Frankfort, MI
2013    VA Student Show, Interlochen Arts Academy, MI
2010    Student Show, School of Fine Arts, Isfahan, Iran
 
Awards

2017    Venture Fund Grant, PAFA, PA
2016    Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, 1st Grant, Canada
2015    YoungArts Foundation finalist, Miami, FL
            Honorable mention, Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, MI
2014    Donald R. Caldwell Merit Full Tuition scholarship, PAFA- Philadelphia, PA
            Award of Excellence, Frankfort, MI
            Scholastics Arts Awards, KC
            President's choice award, I. A . A, MI
            President's choice painting, I.A.A, MI
2013    On Your Way Scholarships Awards
2011     Visual Arts Olympiad of Iran, Iran
 
Residencies

2017    Yale Norfolk, CT
 
Publication
2015     Manifest International Drawing Annual vol. 10, U.S.
2014     Interlochen Visual Art Press, MI
2013     Red Wheelbarrow, Interlochen Writing House, MI