Saeed was born in Tehran, Iran, and spent his early years in mountainous rural areas where his mother worked as a midwife. After high school, he moved to India, completing his master’s degree. Due to the political situation in Iran, Saeed was not able to return, and in the early 1980’s he migrated to Perth, with his wife and eldest daughter. He has two daughters and four grandchildren. Saeed worked in various roles before finding his place in the public sector. In 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer.
Following treatment, he recovered, however he was not able to return to his previous career. Saeed transitioned into work as an interpreter, utilising his language skills, cultural understanding and desire to help others. In 2020, at the age of 63, he received a diagnosis of FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia) and aphasia, potentially dating back to 2017 or earlier.
Saeed has a deep appreciation for the arts. His mother was a skilled artisan who created woven carpets and his love for patterns, symmetry and mosaics is rooted in his upbringing and Persian culture. Prior to his diagnosis, he took pleasure in building things and demonstrated a meticulous attention to detail. He still displays good fine motor skills, whether it's precision in folding or engaging in construction tasks/creating art.
Engaging in art has given Saeed confidence and pride in himself since his diagnosis. As his disease progressed and he encountered loss of functions, art provided him with a meaningful activity to engage in and share with others. In particular, he enjoys colouring intricate mandalas and geometric patterns. His work with Althea became a source of connection and understanding, providing a creative outlet as well as space for him to communicate with greater ease and clarity.
Althea Gordon | Artistic Director | Mind the Change
“Saeed meticulously creates his art pieces with a precision that rivals a well-orchestrated dance. Working mainly with paper through collage and mandalas, his art reflects his love for his family, order and cleanliness, resulting in works that are not just beautiful, but also impeccably crafted"
