# Partou Zia

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English painter

Partou Zia self portrait, 2008 Born 9 October 1958 Tehran, Persia Died 19 March 2008(2008-03-19) (aged 49)

**Partou Zia** ([Persian](/source/Persian_language): پرتو ضیاء; 9 October 1958 – 19 March 2008) was a British-Iranian artist and writer. Born in Tehran, she emigrated to [England](/source/England) in 1970, completing her secondary education at Whitefields School near [Hendon](/source/Hendon), [London](/source/London) (1972–78). She studied Art History at the [University of Warwick](/source/University_of_Warwick) (1977–80) and Fine Art at the [Slade School of Fine Art](/source/Slade_School_of_Fine_Art) (1986–91).[1] In 1993, Zia moved to [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall), where she lived and worked with her husband, the painter [Richard Cook](/source/Richard_Cook_(painter_born_1947)), for the remainder of her life.[2]

In 2001, she completed a practice-based from [Falmouth College of Arts](/source/Falmouth_College_of_Arts) ([University of Plymouth](/source/University_of_Plymouth)) with the dissertation *[Poetic Anatomy of the Numinous: Creative Passages into the Self as Beloved](https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/foahb-theses-other/103/),* her dissertation examined entry into the "poetic zone". As part of her Ph.D. thesis she created two boxed sets of images: 'A Head of her Time' (24 self-portraits) and 'Eve's Book of the Garden' (12 landscapes), each image with its corresponding prose.[1][3][4]

In 2003, [Tate St Ives](/source/Tate_St_Ives) launched a new residency programme at the historic Porthmeor Studios in [St Ives, Cornwall](/source/St_Ives%2C_Cornwall), previously occupied by [Borlase Smart](/source/Borlase_Smart), [Ben Nicholson](/source/Ben_Nicholson), and [Patrick Heron](/source/Patrick_Heron). Zia was the first artist to be awarded the residency.[5][6] Her solo exhibition at Tate St Ives, titled *Entering the Visionary Zone*,[7] was accompanied by a catalogue with an essay by Virginia Button.[8]

Zia died of cancer in March 2008. In her memory, Tate St Ives displayed one of her final paintings, Forty Nights and Forty Days, at the gallery’s entrance as a tribute.[9] The same work also forms part of Modern and Contemporary British Art: The State We’re In (2000–Now) at Tate Britain.[10]

## Work

Early in Partou’s career, landscape provided the main inspiration for her work. The quest of the individual for the divine was a developing theme. A fascination for religious iconography was manifested in depictions of the overlooked corners of church interiors. Everyday objects such as books, lamps and chairs inhabited her images of domestic scenes, suggesting a desire to capture the essence of her long-lost childhood home. Her canvases at this time were dominated by an energetic application of heavily [impastoed](/source/Impasto) yellow, which for her represented the spiritual. Self-portraits, some of them nude, also formed an important part of her oeuvre, asserting her identity as a woman and a painter, and to reveal her intuitive self.

In scale her works range from a few inches to several feet high, with characteristic free brushwork and an immediately recognisable energetic handling of layers of paint. Inspired by the writing and illustrations of [William Blake](/source/William_Blake), her work explores a personal journey of self-discovery. Her language is original, evolving a personal mythology of motifs and symbols that include lovers, sleepers, dreamers and readers, set within interiors or landscapes.[11]

The paintings from the last few months of her life reflect a change of mood. The intense energy of her earlier canvases has given way to a more contemplative application of paint, as a consequence of her ill health. In ‘40 Nights and 40 Days’ she reclines, in classical garb, resting her elbow on a pile of books – an indication, perhaps, that her work is done.

## Notable works

- *Towers of Silence* (2001) – [University of Warwick Art Collection](/source/University_of_Warwick)[12]

- *The Sleep of Hands* (2003) – [Tate St Ives](/source/Tate_St_Ives)[13]

- *Cedar Notes* (2004) – [The Women's Art Collection](/source/The_Women's_Art_Collection), Cambridge[14][15]

- *Flowering Rod* (2006) - [Tate Collection](/source/Tate_Collection)[16]

- *40 Nights and 40 Days* (2008) – [Tate Britain](/source/Tate_Britain)[17][18]

## Collections

- [British Museum](/source/British_Museum), London[19]

- [Tate Collection](/source/Tate_Collection), London[20][18]

- [University of Warwick Art Collection](/source/University_of_Warwick), Coventry[12]

- [The Women's Art Collection](/source/The_Women's_Art_Collection), Cambridge[14]

## Solo exhibitions

**2025** *Partou Zia (1958 - 2008)*, Indigo+Madder, London[21]

**2013** *Portraits Beyond Self*, Art First, London[22]

**2008** *In The Face of Wonder*, [The Exchange](/source/Newlyn_Art_Gallery), Penzance[23][24]

- *Memorial Exhibition 2008*, Art First, London[25]

**2007** *sometimes i see*, Art First, London[26]

**2005** *The Grey Syllable*, Art First, London[27][28]

**2004** *Thought Paintings*, Art First, London[29]

**2003** Entering the Visionary Zone, Tate St Ives[30]

**2002** Art Space Gallery, London

**2000** Art Space Gallery, London

- Plymouth Art Centre

**1999** [Royal Cornwall Museum](/source/Royal_Cornwall_Museum)

**1998** [Newlyn Art Gallery](/source/Newlyn_Art_Gallery)[31]

**1997** Thornton-Bevan Arts, London

## Group exhibitions

**2010** Meetings Of Dreams, The Wills Lane Gallery, St. Ives[32]

**2009** ZOOM – Looking Back/Looking Forward, Art First, London[33]

**2007** Art Now Cornwall, [Tate St. Ives](/source/Tate_St._Ives), Cornwall[34]

**2006** 12x12 Art First, London

**2004** Spoilt for Choice: A Christmas Show, Art First, London

**1999** Four Young Artists, Art Space, London

**1998** In/Sight, [Exeter University](/source/Exeter_University)

**1997** Gallery Artists I, Reeds Wharf Gallery, London

- A Sense of Place, Collyer Bristow Gallery, London

**1996** Landscapes from Penwith, Hastings Museum and Gallery

**1996** Spring Open, Connaught Brown, London

**1995** John Moores Exhibition 19, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

**1994** Response to Landscape, Beatrice Royal Gallery, Southampton

**1993** Salthouse Gallery, St Ives

**1992** Carpenters Road Studios, London

**1990** Works on Paper, The Boundary Gallery, London

**1989** Young Contemporaries, [The Whitworth Gallery](/source/The_Whitworth), Manchester

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["British Museum Collections"](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG85095).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Obituary_2-0)** Florence, Penny (4 April 2008). ["Obituary: Partou Zia"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/apr/04/2). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. London. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190218052742/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/apr/04/2) from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ZIA, PARTOU (1 January 2001). ["Poetic Anatomy of the Numinous Creative Passages into the Self as Beloved"](https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/foahb-theses-other/103). *Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["In Search of the Other | جدید آنلاین"](https://www.jadidonline.com/story/08052008/frnk/partou_zia?utm_source=chatgpt.com). *www.jadidonline.com*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Partou Zia Artist in Residence 2003-2004"](http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080621131547/http://www.tate.org.uk/stives/artistresidency/partou-zia.htm). *[Tate](/source/Tate)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.tate.org.uk/stives/artistresidency/partou-zia.htm) on 21 June 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Tate. ["Partou Zia: Artist's Residency | Tate St Ives"](https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/partou-zia-artists-residency). *Tate*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["UK Government Web Archive"](https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20080620125730/http://www.tate.org.uk/stives/exhibitions/zia/). *webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** *Partou Zia, entering the visionary zone | WorldCat.org*. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [56468453](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/56468453).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Florence, Penny (4 April 2008). ["Obituary: Partou Zia"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/apr/04/2). *The Guardian*. London. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190218052742/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/apr/04/2) from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["40 Nights and 40 Days, 2008"](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/zia-40-nights-and-40-days-t15995). *Tate*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Partou Zia Biography"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/biography.html). *Art First*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220818193338/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/biography.html) from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-warwick_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-warwick_12-1) ["University of Warwick Art Collection -Towers of Silence by Partou Zia"](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/art/artist/partouzia/wu1115/). *warwick.ac.uk*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-stives2003_13-0)** ["Partou Zia : Borlase Smart John Wells Trust"](https://www.bsjwtrust.co.uk/artists/partou-zia/). *www.bsjwtrust.co.uk*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-murrayedwards_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-murrayedwards_14-1) ["Partou Zia | The Women's Art Collection"](https://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/womens-art-collection/artist/partou-zia). *www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cornwallindex_15-0)** ["Partou ZIA | Cornwall Artists Index"](https://cornwallartists.org/cornwall-artists/partou-zia). *cornwallartists.org*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Tate. ["'Flowering Rod', Partou Zia, 2006"](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/zia-flowering-rod-t15994). *Tate*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tate40_17-0)** Tate. ["'40 Nights and 40 Days', Partou Zia, 2008"](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/zia-40-nights-and-40-days-t15995). *Tate*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tatebritain_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tatebritain_18-1) Tate. ["The State We're In – Display at Tate Britain"](https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain/display/modern-and-contemporary-british-art/the-state-were-in). *Tate*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-britishmuseum_19-0)** British Museum. “Partou Zia” artist biography and works. ([https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG85095](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG85095)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tateziabiog_20-0)** Tate. ["Partou Zia 1958–2008"](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/partou-zia-10215). *Tate*. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Partou Zia (1958 - 2008)"](https://indigoplusmadder.com/london-art-exhibitions/partou-zia-1958-2008). *Indigo+Madder*. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Partou Zia: *Portraits Beyond Self*"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe-13.html). *Art First*. 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231207125559/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe-13.html) from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Partou Zia: *In the Face of Wonder*"](http://www.newlynartgallery.co.uk/?Partou%20Zia). *[Newlyn Art Gallery - The Exchange](/source/Newlyn_Art_Gallery#The_Exchange)*. 2008.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Hoyle, Helen (2011). ["Partou Zia: Painter of Dreams"](http://www.artcornwall.org/features/Partou_Zia_Helen_Hoyle.htm). *Art of Cornwall*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220703002548/http://www.artcornwall.org/features/Partou_Zia_Helen_Hoyle.htm) from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Partou Zia 1958-2008: *Memorial Exhibition 2008*"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_08.html). *Art First*. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054234/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_08.html) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Partou Zia: *sometimes i see*"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_07.html). *Art First*. 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060014/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_07.html) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Partou Zia: *The Grey Syllable*"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_zia_06.html). *Art First*. 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220705164759/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_zia_06.html) from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Daniel-McElroy, Susan; Florence, Penny (2005). *Partou Zia: The Grey Syllable* (Exhibition catalog). London: Art First. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1901993469](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1901993469). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1008182687](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1008182687).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Partou Zia: *Thought Paintings*"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_zia_04.html). *Art First*. 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201410/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/partou_zia/pe_zia_04.html) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tate2_30-0)** ["Partou Zia - Artists Residency: 25 October 2003 - 25 January 2004"](http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080620125730/http://www.tate.org.uk/stives/exhibitions/zia/). *[Tate](/source/Tate)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.tate.org.uk/stives/exhibitions/zia/) on 20 June 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Zia, Partou (1998). *Partou Zia: Church Paintings*. [Newlyn Art Gallery](/source/Newlyn_Art_Gallery). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0953432408](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0953432408). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1158339215](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1158339215).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Meetings Of Dreams - Partou Zia - Richard Cook"](http://www.willslanegallery.co.uk/cook-zia-frameset.htm). *The Wills Lane Gallery*. 2010.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["ZOOM - Looking Back / Looking Forward"](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/other/pe_zoom_09.html). *Art First*. 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220818194247/https://www.artfirst.co.uk/other/pe_zoom_09.html) from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Art Now Cornwall: The artists: Partou Zia"](http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/exhibition/art-now-cornwall/art-now-cornwall-artists/art-now-cornwall-artis-25). *[Tate](/source/Tate)*.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

## External links

- [Partou Zia artist profile at Tate](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/partou-zia-10215)

- [eBook - Partou Zia - Portraits Beyond Self](http://www.artfirst.co.uk/ebooks/partou-zia/portraits-beyond-self/index.html)

- [Platform 505 Article - Portraits Beyond Self](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003445/http://www.platform505.com/artfirst-gallery-partou-zia/)

- [Cornwall artists index](http://cornwallartists.org/cornwall-artists/partou-zia)

- [Guardian artist of the month](https://www.theguardian.com/arts/cornwallartistofthemonth/gallery/0,,1244743,00.html)

- [Women in Cornwall - Partou Zia](https://womenincornwall.org/partou-zia-prtw-dya)

- [Women artists in Cornwall - Partou Zia ~ Painter of Dreams](http://cornishmuse.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/partou-zia-painter-of-dreams.html)

- [TATE MODERN - Talk - Vision is Out There](http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/talk/vision-out-there)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States Artists RKD Artists Other IdRef Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Partou Zia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partou_Zia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partou_Zia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.