Babak Koravi is an Iranian-born Swedish and Australian artist based in the United Kingdom whose multidisciplinary practice is rooted in transformation, memory, and the rediscovery of overlooked objects. Working across painting, mixed media, and installation, he creates compelling works that reveal beauty in the unexpected while encouraging viewers to reconsider ideas of permanence, waste, and cultural memory. Best known for his Intervention series, Koravi transforms discarded books and found objects into original artworks, giving forgotten materials a renewed presence and purpose. Through expressive abstraction, symbolic imagery, and richly layered surfaces, his work invites personal interpretation while demonstrating how creativity can breathe new life into objects that might otherwise be discarded. With exhibitions held internationally and works in private collections, Koravi continues to build a distinctive artistic practice that bridges cultures, histories, and contemporary ideas of renewal.
A Journey Across Cultures
Babak Koravi’s artistic identity has been shaped by a life lived across several countries and cultures. Born in Iran before later living in Sweden and Australia, and now based in the United Kingdom, he has developed a unique perspective that reflects a broad range of cultural experiences. Each stage of his journey has contributed to the evolution of his artistic voice, allowing him to create work that speaks to audiences regardless of geography.
His multicultural background has encouraged an openness to experimentation and exploration. Rather than limiting himself to a single artistic tradition or visual style, Koravi embraces diverse influences that enrich his creative process. The result is a body of work that feels both deeply personal and universally relevant, exploring themes that connect people through shared experiences of memory, change, and renewal.
Finding Beauty in the Overlooked
One of the defining characteristics of Koravi’s practice is his fascination with objects that have been forgotten or discarded. While many people see little value in worn books or abandoned materials, he recognises their hidden stories and untapped creative potential.
Instead of allowing these objects to disappear, Koravi transforms them into artworks that celebrate their history while giving them an entirely new identity. His creative process becomes an act of renewal, demonstrating that value is not determined by an object’s condition but by the imagination that redefines it.
This philosophy extends beyond materials. It reflects a broader belief that beauty often exists beneath the surface and that transformation is always possible through creativity and thoughtful observation.
The Intervention Series
Koravi’s acclaimed Intervention series perfectly represents his artistic philosophy. In this body of work, discarded books become the foundation for original mixed media artworks that merge history with contemporary expression.
Books naturally carry knowledge, memories, and personal experiences. Even when they are no longer read, they continue to possess a quiet presence that speaks of the lives they have touched. Koravi preserves that history while introducing new layers of meaning through paint, texture, botanical imagery, and expressive mark-making.
Rather than concealing the original object, he incorporates it into the artwork, allowing the past and present to exist together. Every intervention becomes a conversation between what the object once was and what it has now become.
Through this process, Koravi demonstrates that artistic transformation is not about erasing history but about allowing it to evolve into something new.
Expressive Abstraction with Symbolic Meaning
Koravi’s visual language combines expressive abstraction with carefully placed symbolic elements that encourage contemplation. His compositions are filled with layered textures, vibrant colours, organic forms, and gestural marks that create depth and movement.
These abstract elements are never purely decorative. They contribute to emotional narratives that remain open to interpretation, allowing every viewer to bring their own memories and experiences to the work.
The layered surfaces mirror the way memories accumulate over time. Some details remain visible while others become partially hidden beneath new experiences, creating complex visual landscapes that reward careful observation.
Nature also plays an important role in his imagery. Botanical forms frequently appear throughout his work, symbolising growth, resilience, regeneration, and the continuous cycles of life. These elements reinforce his ongoing exploration of renewal while creating a sense of balance between human creativity and the natural world.
Featured Artwork: Refresh
One of the most compelling examples of Koravi’s artistic vision is Refresh, a work from his Intervention series that transforms a discarded book into a striking contemporary artwork.
Layers of rich colour, textured surfaces, and delicate botanical forms breathe new life into an object that had been abandoned. Rather than hiding the book beneath paint, Koravi allows its previous existence to remain present, creating a dialogue between its original purpose and its new artistic identity.
The botanical imagery introduces a sense of vitality and regeneration, while the expressive colours create feelings of optimism and movement. Every layer contributes to the idea that renewal is not simply about replacing the old but about building upon it.
The title Refresh captures the essence of the work. It suggests both physical transformation and a renewed way of seeing the world. By elevating an overlooked object into a unique artwork, Koravi reminds viewers that creativity has the power to uncover beauty in unexpected places.
Creativity and Sustainability
Koravi’s practice also reflects contemporary conversations surrounding sustainability and responsible artistic practice. By working with discarded books and found objects, he demonstrates that materials often considered waste can become meaningful works of art.
His approach moves beyond simple recycling. Instead of merely reusing objects, he transforms them conceptually, giving them new cultural, emotional, and artistic significance. The original object remains part of the finished work while taking on an entirely different identity.
This thoughtful process highlights the importance of preservation, reminding audiences that creativity can extend the life of objects while encouraging a more mindful relationship with the materials that surround us.
Creating Space for Reflection
One of the strengths of Babak Koravi’s work is its openness. His artworks do not dictate a single meaning or fixed narrative. Instead, they invite quiet reflection and personal interpretation.
Some viewers may be drawn to the environmental message within his transformed objects. Others may connect with themes of memory, resilience, or personal renewal. Many simply respond to the rich textures, vibrant colours, and expressive compositions that define his work.
This openness allows each artwork to become a personal experience. Every viewer discovers something different, making the relationship between artwork and audience an important part of Koravi’s creative vision.
An Evolving International Practice
Throughout his career, Babak Koravi has exhibited internationally, and his work is held in private collections across different countries. His multidisciplinary practice continues to evolve while remaining grounded in the central themes of transformation, memory, and the hidden value of overlooked materials.
Whether working with painting, mixed media, or installation, Koravi consistently demonstrates how creativity can reshape familiar objects into meaningful artistic experiences. His work encourages viewers to slow down, look more closely, and appreciate the stories that exist within even the most ordinary materials.
By transforming discarded books into expressive works of contemporary art, Babak Koravi celebrates the enduring power of imagination. His practice reveals that forgotten objects still possess beauty, history, and purpose, waiting to be rediscovered through the transformative language of art.
