Behnaz Ghasemi (b. 1977, Mashhad, Iran) is an artist whose practice ex-plores cultural heritage and philosophical inquiry through the traditional Iranian motif of The Rose and the Nightingale. Little is known of her early life, but her artistic journey reflects a deep engagement with both Eastern and Western influences.

Ghasemi’s formal education in academic painting and art criticism took her to the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Iran, where she honed her skills across diverse artistic traditions. She later pursued philosophy at the University of London, enriching the intellectual depth of her work.

In 2014, she immersed herself in the historical renditions of The Rose and the Nightingale during a residency in Isfahan. Her approach evolved in her Dubai studio, where she began reinterpreting the theme by focusing on the nightingale’s gaze and introducing deliberate imperfections—challenging the motif’s conventional perfection. This fusion of tradition and innovation defines her artistic voice.

Her work has been acclaimed by major art institutions and is now featured in Victoria and Albert Museum and The British Museum’s permanent collection.