Born in Iran in 1978, Nima Nabavi is a self-taught Iranian-American artist whose work bridges the realms of mathematics, geometry, and contemplative abstraction. Raised in the United Arab Emirates, Nabavi’s artistic journey began unexpectedly in 2016, when he transitioned from a successful 15-year career in business, inspired by the geometric artistry of his late grandfather. Today, he divides his time between Dubai and New York, dedicating himself to a practice that explores the interplay of precision and intuition, creating intricate, mathematically informed compositions that invite deep reflection.
Nabavi’s work has garnered international acclaim, with his 2023 solo exhibition, VISITING, at the Roswell Museum in New Mexico marking a significant milestone. The exhibition featured his largest piece to date—an 18-foot by 6-foot painting completed during his residency at the prestigious Roswell Artist-In-Residence program. Later that year, he collaborated with artist Jason Seife on the conceptual two-person exhibition DUALITY at The Third Line in Dubai, further solidifying his position as a leading voice in contemporary abstract art.
His work has been showcased in prominent group exhibitions, including Geometry and Art in The Modern Middle East at the Misk Art Institute in Jeddah (2023), Gradate at the Sharjah Museum (2022), and Ways of Seeing Abstraction at the Palais Populaire in Berlin (2021). Nabavi’s art has also been featured in notable publications such as Southwest Contemporary and Canvas, as well as in the book Geometry and Art in the Modern Middle East.
In 2022, Nabavi was awarded the inaugural BULGARI Contemporary Art Award, presented in collaboration with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, recognising his innovative contributions to the field. His works are held in esteemed private and public collections, including the Deutsche Bank Collection in Germany, the Jameel Arts Centre in the UAE, and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art in New Mexico.
Nabavi’s practice is a testament to the power of transformation and the enduring influence of cultural heritage. Through his meticulous exploration of geometric abstraction, he invites viewers to engage with the profound connections between art, mathematics, and the human experience.
