Artist Focus | Venus Behjati – Painting Stories of Memory, Myth and Existence

Derby-based painter Venus Behjati is an artist whose work weaves together memories, stories, people, and places to create deeply layered images that invite reflection. Currently exhibiting at Dubrek Gallery, Derby, until 14 September 2025, and soon showcasing her work at the University of Derby MA Arts, Fine Art & Photography Degree Show (10-29 September at Artcore Gallery), Behjati’s practice continues to evolve and captivate audiences.

“Creating has become an inseparable part of me-it is my language of existence,” Venus explains. For over three decades, painting has been not only her craft but her way of navigating life’s questions, emotions, and philosophies.

Finding Inspiration in Derby

Having moved to Derby, Venus found a nurturing environment that encouraged her to push the boundaries of her artistic practice. “The supportive and welcoming environment has given me the courage to explore my ideas more freely and has provided inspiration for the growth of my artistic practice,” she says. This openness has allowed her to deepen her creative exploration, finding new ways to express her ideas.

A Journey Shaped by Experience

Behjati’s creative journey is marked by resilience and transformation. One of the most challenging aspects of her life as an artist was, in her own words, “being a female artist living in Iran.” Yet, this experience has fuelled her commitment to create without limits. Her career highlights include exhibiting at the London Art Biennale in 2021, showing her work in History Makers: Unfolded at Derby Museum and Art Gallery in 2023, and most recently being awarded the Banks Mill Student Residency in 2024.

Myth, Memory, and Imagination

Venus describes her mind as working “like a recording machine-constantly collecting information and asking questions.” Her inspiration flows from these inner dialogues, from her interactions with nature and society, and from mythology. Ancient stories and their symbolism often surface in her paintings, enriching them with multiple layers of meaning. She admits that sometimes reality feels difficult to endure, and so she seeks refuge in imagined worlds that are hidden, safe, and protective-yet always grounded in the necessity of living within reality.

What She Hopes Audiences Will Feel

More than anything, Venus wants her work to encourage viewers to pause and see differently. “I hope my work sparks conversations, stirs reflection, and invites people to explore new ways of thinking,” she says. By blending the mythical and the personal, the remembered and the imagined, her paintings open up space for dialogue and interpretation.

What’s Next

As she prepares to complete her Master’s at the University of Derby, the upcoming MA Arts, Fine Art & Photography Degree Show (10-29 September, Artcore Gallery) will be a major milestone. Alongside this, her current exhibition at Dubrek Gallery offers a chance for audiences to experience her evolving practice first-hand.

Advice to Artists

When asked what advice she would give to other artists, Venus replies: “Stay curious and fearless in your practice. Explore different materials, ideas, and perspectives, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes-each experiment teaches you something new. Trust your own voice, even if it feels unconventional, and let your work reflect your genuine thoughts and experiences.”