People
Fariba Farshad
Fariba Farshad has built a considerable reputation for her work as a curator of outstanding exhibitions and, in particular, as a champion of Iranian art. Her groundbreaking 2009 exhibition of three generations of Iranian women artists – the ‘Masques of Shahrazad’ – followed on from an equally well received exhibition of work by emerging Iranian artists entitled ‘Whispered Secrets Murmuring Dreams’ (2008), which introduced many young artists to the European scene. Fariba has recently secured a long term program of exhibitions at the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill, the official hotel partner of the Frieze Art Fair. She has also developed Candlestar‘s Arts advisory service working with collectors, galleries and companies to source leading contemporary artists’ works.
In the education sphere Fariba leads a consultancy team responsible for the development of the digital side of Candlestar’s art and education portfolio. She developed and successfully implemented an e-strategy for learning and teaching for University of Creative Arts. She was also the designer of Best Practice Resource Centre for teachers for the General Teaching Council England. Her recent clients include the Prix Pictet, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Universities Human Resources, and the University College of the Creative Arts.
Her research, which focused on the methodology of integrating technology into teaching and practice in the arts, found the perfect ground in the University of the Arts where she taught for almost a decade.
Fariba spearheaded the strategic development of the University of the Arts’ IT networks for the integration of technology into teaching, learning and art, and design practice. This included the development of more than 50 groundbreaking game-based learning packages, the development and integration of a Virtual Learning Environment into the curriculum, E-learning, online MA Digital Art and FDA in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising, as well as the development of innovative and high quality learning packages that attracted numerous national and international awards. Fariba’s research was assessed as Grade 5 – internationally outstanding – in the Higher Education Funding Council’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Fariba’s work was the subject of a major feature in The Times entitled ‘Drawing is given a digital lead’ by Simon Tait. Her innovative DVD on drawing, ‘Seeing Drawing’, was shortlisted for a BAFTA and her innovative online fashion magazine, Ntouch – the first of its kind – was launched to considerable critical acclaim in 1995.
Michael Benson
Michael Benson began his career as communications and marketing Director at North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London) and the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich. While at UEA he played a key part in the development, promotion and fundraising for the Arthur Miller Centre for American Studies, ran the University’s Silver Jubilee campaign and played a central role in helping to secure the funds for Norman Foster’s acclaimed Crescent Wing at the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts.
In 1993 he was appointed Director of Communications and Marketing at the London Institute (now the University of the Arts, London). He was responsible for establishing the London Institute gallery and for building an exhibition programme that mixed outstanding student work with work by leading contemporary artists, designers and photographers. In this role he created Signatures of the Invisible a ground breaking collaboration with CERN in Geneva that lead to the production of an exhibition of contemporary art that toured the world between 2000 and 2003 when it completed its run at PS1 MOMA in New York. He also worked closely with the Institute’s International Director to build an international student recruitment business and led the campaigns to secure a new site for Chelsea College of Art and Design at the site of the old Royal Army Medical College on Millbank; and University title. He also devised Young at Art - a programme of Saturday classes and Summer Schools for London children.
Michael Benson is also a writer and film producer. His book ‘1000 years 1000 words’ was awarded a D&AD silver award in 2001. His play ‘Life’s A Monkey’ was performed at the Cochrane Theatre in London in the autumn of 2002. His DVDs on Gustav Metzger and John Berger were released in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
In July 2003 Michael Benson left the London Institute to set up Candlestar Ltd who clients include leading arts institutions, academies and universities. Michael Benson is the Director of the Prix Pictet.
Maryam Shirinlou, The Song of Water, Masques of Shahrazad (detail)
Candlestar Team
Michael Benson Director
michael.benson@candlestar.co.uk
Fariba Farshad Director
fariba.farshad@candlestar.co.uk
Philip Levine Senior Associate
philip.levine@candlestar.co.uk
Victoria Holgate Office Manager
victoria.holgate@candlestar.co.uk
Tamsin Silvey Associate
tamsin.silvey@candlestar.co.uk
Leila Farshad Finance and Legal Advisor
leila.farshad@candlestar.co.uk
Haideh Hadavi Head of Iran Office
haideh.hadavi@candlestar.org.uk
Associates
Matt Rodda Senior Education Associate
David Jobbins Education Strategy Adviser
Paul Cheetham Exhibitions Consultant
Ferial Salahshour Director, Day Art Gallery
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To contact associates please email info@candlestar.co.uk