Betty Najafi Translates Figurative Expressionism Through NFTs
Self Portrait, 2023.
From Iran to the global art stage, Betty Najafi has journeyed from a childhood passion for painting to international recognition, bridging physical and digital realms. Focusing on Figurative Expressionism, their work navigates the liminal space between abstraction and reality, capturing raw human emotion and inviting audiences into a deeply personal exploration of the human experience. Through traditional canvases and NFT technology, the artist’s evocative imagery has touched hearts across continents, transcending cultural barriers and revolutionizing how art is perceived and shared.
The Iranian artist delves into the intersection of abstraction and reality, prioritizing emotional resonance over strict realism. By blending figurative and abstract elements, they create paintings that invite viewers into a reflective and emotive inner journey. The advent of NFTs has expanded the reach and impact of their work, enabling global exposure and numerous accolades, including exhibitions in Australia, the Netherlands, and the U.S. Embracing a fluid approach to artistic style, the artist finds inspiration in past masters and thrives on exploring new visual territories. Additionally she boasts an interview with OBJKT, a large Tezos-based NFT marketplace. The digital art space has offered newfound validation and community, allowing their work to be appreciated on an unprecedented scale.
Where are you from and what inspired your journey into being an artist?
“I am from Iran, and from my childhood I had strong passion for painting.”
Figurative Expressionism often blurs the line between abstraction and reality. How do you translate this tension in your paintings?
“This is exactly why I love Figurative Expressionism so much. Personally, I have a strong tendency toward abstraction, but at the same time, most of my paintings are figurative, though not pure realism. I am not faithful to the model while painting—not in appearance, color, composition, or brushstrokes. None of them at all. My aim is mainly to depict deep emotions so that the audience can easily connect with my art just by looking at it. I like that people can be drawn into their inner world by observing my paintings. From this point of view, I can say this holds true for my work. My paintings are neither pure realism nor pure abstraction. I can explain this much more easily through my paintings than with words.”
Are there specific social, cultural, or personal themes that repeatedly find their way into your work?
“Yeah, for sure. My figures are mostly from life models or from photographs that I take in spaces around me, mostly of people who are deeply in their own world. I try to reflect that moment in my paintings unconsciously, along with my inner feelings. That deep look is everything for me. I love when people say there is something special in that figure—that is exactly what I want. It’s the point where I feel I did it right.”
Girl in Blue, 2024.
Dance in The Fog, 2024.
NFTs have opened new doors for artists to connect with global audiences. How do you think this technology shapes the way your work, especially the emotional depth of your figures, is experienced by viewers?
“I think NFTs have caused my art to be seen much more than before, and I feel that the emotional depth of my work is even more impressive now. While I haven’t applied for any exhibitions in my country, the NFT world has had an amazing effect on getting my art noticed. In the first month of my presence in the NFT world, Objkt, one of the biggest marketplaces, interviewed me. Just a few weeks later, my work was selected as one of the four winners of an open call by Artcrush Gallery, and my art was showcased on over 200 billboards across Melbourne, Australia. After that, my art won many open calls. It was an incredible feeling for me, someone who had never tried to show my art in an exhibition, to see my work viewed by so many people around the world. That experience really strengthened my confidence and made me more eager to create more art—a feeling of being understood, in a way. It was amazing to realize that my art had found its audience.”
In what ways has your style evolved over the years, and are there moments of artistic growth or pivotal works that stand out as turning points in your career?
“One thing so obvious about me is that I have always been curious and eager to experience different styles of painting. I could never stay with one style for a long time. I am in love with the process—it’s like a playful and wonderful exploration between different worlds for me. Staying in one style just kills me. I love to be in flow with different styles based on my mood. I think this quality has helped me bloom in my art up to now. I have learned many things through practicing the works of great masters, studying after Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Henri Matisse, Willem de Kooning, and Joan Miró.”
Your work captures intense emotion through the human form. How do you bring this sense of vulnerability and expression into the digital world with your NFTs?
“I can’t put it into words how it is done, but I think there is no difference between the physical and digital worlds in terms of showing art and its influence on audiences. When a work is powerful, it has the same impact in both digital and physical forms, and perhaps it may even be more influential in the digital world (this is just my opinion, of course, and it could be wrong).”
Chaos, 2023.
Dance in The Fire, 2021.
Frozen, 2022.
From creating a physical painting to minting an NFT, what signals the completion of a piece for you in each medium? Do you approach finality differently between digital and physical art?
“For me, the completion of a piece is mostly related to a feeling. When I think it’s over, I stop. The first brushstrokes are always the best ones, full of emotion, maybe because I don’t think at all when I put them down. But while editing my painting, that pure feeling tends to get ruined in a way. That’s why I rely more on my feelings to determine when a piece is complete. I am a physical painter and have never experienced digital art before, so I can’t answer this question until I try it.”
How has your evolution as a traditional artist informed your journey as an NFT artist? Were there key moments or projects that inspired your transition into the digital space?
An Illusionary World, 2023; Featured in the Halloween Open Call By Artcrush Gallery.
“One of my biggest challenges has been going to galleries and asking them to show my art, for reasons that are common in most art galleries. When I heard about NFTs, I initially had some resistance, but I decided to enter this space to showcase and sell my art. Up to this moment, I think my art has found its way. Here, there is no need to be a famous artist to be seen—it’s the art that speaks, especially through open calls. This has been the best gift of NFTs for me so far: winning several open calls, being featured in digital art galleries, and showcasing my art in exhibitions in many countries, including Australia, the Netherlands, the USA, and Canada. My art has even been published in a book. All of this has been a gift of the NFT space. Seeing that my art has found its audience is a wonderful blessing.”
Who or what has influenced your decision to explore NFTs, and how do these inspirations integrate into your work as both a traditional and digital artist?
“I am just a physical painter, not experienced in digital art yet. My brother has always been the first person to encourage me to enter this space, and I am really grateful to him for that and for always opening new spaces in my mind. Entering this space has helped me a lot because when I saw that my art was finding its audience every day, I became more hopeful about the future of my art career. The feeling of being understood through art is truly a gift. I really love being understood by my art rather than by my words, and I am achieving this in this space. In the end, I want to thank one person who has had a significant influence on getting my art seen: Caboline, the curator of Objkt marketplace, who featured my art in the first weeks of my entrance into the NFT world. That was the start of my art being noticed.”
By blending their heritage, personal experiences, and a passion for Figurative Expressionism, Betty has created a body of work that resonates on a universal level, inviting viewers to experience the profound impact of art that transcends mediums and distances. As they continue to evolve, their story reminds to embrace new technologies while staying true to one’s creative spirit.
