SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, 2024 — The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Main Gallery is excited to announce When Unearthed Sights Collide, a two-person exhibition featuring the work of two emerging Bay Area artists Shirin Khalatbari and Sun Park, curated by independent curator Shirin Makaremi.

When Unearthed Sights Collide opens on September 20, 2024 at the SFAC Main Gallery in the War Memorial Veterans Building and will be on view through December 14, 2024.

In When Unearthed Sights Collide [2], both artists established their own narratives of spirituality and history, questioning Western doctrines and exploring alternative methods in order to reclaim autonomy over spiritual and historical narratives.  

“The Arts Commission is thrilled to launch this new mentorship and exhibition program that helps provide a creative space for artists to develop and grow their artistic practice,” said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs. “When Unearthed Sights Collide presents two ambitious installations by two emerging local artists, Shirin Khalatbari and Sun Park. We are excited to be able to work with and support both artists at such a formative moment in their careers.” 

When Unearthed Sights Collide is the first exhibition that is part of SFAC Galleries’ new mentorship fellowship program, where two emerging artists work closely with a curator for eight months on their professional development and to create new work for an exhibition in the Main Gallery. Over 160 artist applications were submitted when SFAC Galleries launched an open call for artists in January 2024. Shirin Khalatbari and Sun Park were selected a panel of both SFAC staff and stakeholders in the Bay Area arts community.  

Shirin Khalatbari is an artist, educator and activist born and raised in Tehran, Iran and currently based in Oakland, CA. In their interdisciplinary work, Khalatbari confronts archeology as a tool used by colonial powers to exploit Iran’s archeological treasures and natural resources during the early 20th century. Her work references the manipulation of history as means to justify domination and erasure of cultural heritage. In order to reclaim the narrative, they use what remains to flip and reshape what has been lost. Khalatbari’s work asks the viewer to reconsider their perceived knowledge of the objects that are displayed in front of them. 

Sun Park is a visual artist and writer based in San Francisco. Park’s work responds to bodily sensations that signal the connection between internal and external environments, exploring the porous boundaries were identity is formed and altered. For When Unearthed Sights Collide, Park’s installation delves into personal mythology and ritual. They pull from childhood experiences and narratives from literature that illuminate the act of consumption and invite viewers to reconsider the boundaries of identity and community. Park leaves the viewer with the question of what feeds us spiritually and how we digest that in our bodies.  

“Shirin and Sun’s works provoke reflections on the enduring impacts of imperialism and the manipulation of narratives to enforce power dynamics,” states exhibition curator Shirin Makaremi. “Together, their works urge viewers to critically examine our understanding of the physical and mythological world we know.”  

“We are excited to launch this program with two incredible artists and a curator who have poured energy and ambition into this exhibition” said Carolina Aranibar-Fernandez, SFAC Director of Galleries and Public Programs. “It has been an honor to witness the development of the artwork. Both artists have embraced this opportunity to create new work, and I am thrilled for visitors to experience them.” 

When Unearthed Sights Collide is supported in part with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.  
 
About the curator 
Shirin Makaremi is an Iranian-American artist and curator based in San Francisco, CA. Makaremi is the former Director of Incline Gallery in San Francisco, where she curated and facilitated exhibitions and programs. She enjoys working with emerging local artists, collaborating and supporting them to take a leap with their practice. Makaremi has worked with a number of Bay Area organizations, such as Zamin Project, Southern Exposure, SF Camerawork, and SOMArts. Makaremi received her BA from San Francisco State University in Studio Art and Art History.  

Exhibition Details
When Unearthed Sights Collide 
September 20 – December 14, 2024 
SFAC Main Gallery, War Memorial Veterans Building 
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 126, San Francisco, CA 94102 
Wednesday – Saturday, noon – 5 p.m. 
Free and open to the public 

Opening Reception Details 
Friday, September 20 | 6 – 8 p.m.  
SFAC Main Gallery, War Memorial Veterans Building 
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 126, San Francisco, CA 94102 
No reservation required. Free and open to the public 

Public Programming Details 
For more information, visit sfartscommission.org 
All programs are free and open to the public   

Artist Talk and Screening 
Wednesday, November 13 | 6 – 8 p.m. 
SFAC Main Gallery 

Join artist Shirin Khalatbari and curator and educator Kathy Zarur for a conversation followed by a screening of documentary films by Ebrahim Golestan. 

Writing Workshop at Winslow House Project 
Sunday, November 24 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Winslow House Project, Vallejo, CA 
Space is limited. RSVP required. Email sfac.galleries@sfgov.org [3] to register 

Join artist Sun Park and writer London Pinkney for a writing workshop in which participants will recall and reimagine experiences they have had with religion and spirituality. Onsite Chinese Ba Zi astrology readings will be given by astrologist Forest Lin. 

Closing Reception Performances 
Saturday, December 14 | 2 – 4 p.m. 
SFAC Main Gallery 

Join us for the closing reception of When Unearthed Sights Collide with a dance performance by artist Leyya Mona Tawil and music and guided imagery by violinist and therapist Dr. Sangeeta Swamy. 

For more information about this exhibition, visit sfartscommission.org/whenunearthedsightscollide  [4]

View When Unearthed Sights Collide preview images on Flickr [5]. 
 

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About the San Francisco Arts Commission
The San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts as essential to daily life by investing in a vibrant arts community, enlivening the urban environment and shaping innovative cultural policy. Our programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Investments, Public Art, SFAC Galleries, and Art Vendor Licensing. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org [6].