About me
Education
MFA in Painting
Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2021
MA in Painting
Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2014
BFA in Handicrafts
Kashan University, Kashan, Iran
2008
Professional Experience
Gallery Coordinator
McCauley Art Gallery at Heartland Community College, Normal, IL
2021 - 2024
Developed and executed educational projects in collaboration with faculty and external partners.
Curated exhibitions showcasing diverse artistic voices and perspectives.
Facilitated gallery visits, artist talks, and workshops for students.
Planned and executed events and panel discussions to engage audiences.
Managed gallery operations, including installation, maintenance, and inventory management.
Art Supervisor
Reza’s Oriental and Modern Carpet Company, Tehran, Iran
2015 - 2018
Conducted quality assurance of product photography and identified rug deficiencies.
Managed photo editing workflow and trained photo editors.
Coordinated with overseas offices to meet their photo requirements.
Gallery Assistant
Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2018 - 2021
Managed gallery operations and curated exhibitions.
Collaborated with artists, faculty, and students on various projects.
Oversaw the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions.
Woodshop and CNC Printing Technician
Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2018 – 2021
Provided technical support and training to students and faculty on woodshop and CNC printing equipment.
Maintained and managed equipment and inventory.
Volunteer
University Galleries, Normal, IL
2021 - 2022
Assisted in installing and uninstalling shows.
Documented and created a database of the collection.
Graphic Designer
Various Projects, Tehran, Iran
2009 - 2012
Designed graphics for murals and theater productions.
Curated Exhibitions
2024
PERENNIAL OPTIMISM 2.0, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
2023
Thrasher, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
ALBATROSS, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
Woman Life Freedom, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Falling in Between, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
The Floating World, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
There Is a Woman on the Wall, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
2022
Woman Life Freedom, The MAC, Dallas, TX
In Between the Cracks, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
Have Your Cake, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
Within Reach, McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
Being a Woman (Iranian Artists’ Reflection), McCauley Art Gallery, Normal, IL
Solo Exhibitions
2022
Woman, Life, Freedom, ICC Performance Center, Peoria, IL
Home, McLean County Art Center, Bloomington, IL
Home Sweet Home, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, Peoria, IL
2021
Thesis Show: Delightful Scars, CVA 110, Normal, IL
2020
Loss, Transpace Gallery, Normal, IL (Two-Person)
2019
Welcoming in the Front Door, Transpace Gallery, Normal, IL (Two-Person)
2018
Parallel, Transpace Gallery, Normal, IL (Two-Person)
2014
Woman, Dance, Music, Ist Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Group Exhibitions
2024
CAC Member Artist Biennial Exhibition, Preston Jackson Gallery, Peoria, IL
Alumni Spectacular, University Galleries, Normal, IL
2023
Contemporary Art Center of Peoria Membership Exhibition, Time Gallery, East Peoria, IL
Contemporary Art Center of Peoria Membership Exhibition, Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, IL
Woman Life Freedom DFW, Irving Arts Center, Dallas, TX
Woman Life Freedom DFW, Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
2022
Small Works Members Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
CAC at DAAC, Madden Art Center, Decatur, IL
CAC Member Artists Biennial Exhibition, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, Peoria, IL
Word of Mouth, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2021
Hot CIAO VIII, Studios on Sheridan, Peoria, IL
5th Midwest - Alison Wong, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Moments Like This, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
CAC at MCAC, McLean County Art Center, Bloomington, IL
Hangar Gallery Showcase, Hangar Art Co., Bloomington, IL
Annual McLean County Amateur Art Exhibition, Bloomington, IL
Student Annual, University Galleries, Normal, IL
Delightful Scars, Transpace Gallery, Normal, IL
2020
MFA Biennial, University Galleries, Normal, IL
Graduate Review Showcase, CVA 110, Normal, IL
Student Annual, University Galleries, Normal, IL
2019
Water Show, ISU Schroeder Hall Art Gallery, Normal, IL
Student Annual, University Galleries, Normal, IL
TWOgether, Collaborative Project, Jan Brandt Gallery, Normal, IL
2018
MFA Biennial, University Galleries, Normal, IL
2015
Shahedan-e Shahr, Saba Museum-Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2012
Graduate Review Showcase, Banoo Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2011
The 10th Iranian Biennial of Contemporary Ceramic, Imam Ali Museum, Tehran, Iran
Certificates
2024
Google Certification of Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes, Coursera
2023
Google Certification of Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate, Coursera
Google Certification of Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design, Coursera
2020
Instructional Design for Future Faculty, Illinois State University
2013
Certified ‘Culture and Art for Middle School’, Ministry of Education, Tehran, Iran
2009
Certified Craftsman Certification, Bureau of National Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Tehran, Iran
2007
Certified Teacher, Teaching Painting to Children, Ministry of Culture, Tehran, Iran
2006
Art Director, Modern Art, Artistic Creativity and Pottery Workshops, Iranian University Students’ Society of Handicrafts and Visual Arts
2005
Theoretical Fundamentals of Culture and Cultural Planning, Cultural and Art Associations, District 4 Universities, Iran
Art Project Management, Cultural and Art Associations, District 4 Universities, Iran
Skills
Curation & Art Management: Experience in curating exhibitions, managing art collections, and overseeing gallery operations.
Art Handling & Conservation: Knowledge in professional art handling and conservation of various media.
Project Management: Experience in project management, including art acquisition projects and budget management.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to interact with executive-level clients and stakeholders.
Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Google Suite programs, social media platforms, and collection management systems.
Languages: Fluent in English and Persian.
Woman Life Freedom
These days this slogan, these 3 words, define my practice, my hope, my life as well as my fights, my worries and my resilience more than anything else.
#mahsaamini
#womanlifefreedom
Biography
Shahrbanoo Hamzeh is an Iranian artist who immigrated to the United States in 2018. In the new life and environment, she finds herself constantly rediscovering who she is, peeling back layers of oppression—many of which she hadn’t even realized existed. As a woman who spent most of her life under a dictatorship and patriarchal society, she is navigating deep pain and trauma. Her art practice has become a powerful tool for healing and dialogue, shedding light on the struggles of Iranian women living under a theocratic regime.
Hamzeh holds an MFA in Painting from Illinois State University, and her works exist on the edge of abstraction and figuration, offering moments that invite discovery by the viewer. Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, her pieces are built up through many layers, reflecting the complexity of the themes she explores.