Sacred Circles Exhibition Sara Nejad

BrisAsia Festival 2026 presents Sacred Circles Exhibition Sara Nejad.

Artist in Residence: Sara Nejad

Sara Nejad is a Brisbane-based artist whose practice spans painting, mixed media, pyrography (wood burning) and installation. Born in Iran, and having lived and travelled all over the world, Sara’s work draws on various cultural influences and experiences. As Artist in Residence, she transformed Museum of Brisbane’s entrance with vibrant designs that reflect different facets of her identity. Her works use the mandala as a motif to explore themes of belonging, connection and self-transformation.  

Sara also engaged with local communities during her residency. She facilitated a series of workshops, gently encouraging participants to reflect on their experiences of belonging, love and loss. Over several months, she collected images shared by the participants to create a series of contemporary mandalas. The designs of these mandalas draw on a variety of influences, including the floor mosaic in the Brisbane City Hall foyer, the stained glass windows at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, as well as the architecture of Persian palaces and mosques. Shaped by shared stories and personal reflections, the mandalas bring the spirit of Brisbane’s diverse communities to life.

MoB’s Artist in Residence program is supported by Tim Fairfax AC.

This residency has been produced by Museum of Brisbane as part of Brisbane City Council’s BrisAsia Festival 2025, produced by Sounds Across Oceans. For more information, visit MOB website.

Image artwork: Sarah Nejad

Bookings

No bookings required

Venue address

Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City