ANTiPODE Art Gallery Debuts in Pioneer Square to Bridge Seattle with Global Immigrant Perspectives

Founded by Tehran-born artists, Seattle's new ANTiPODE Art Gallery focuses on immigrant perspectives and cross-cultural dialogue in Pioneer Square.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 4:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Seattle Times.

A Bridge Between Antipodal Worlds

In the heart of Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, ANTiPODE Art Gallery has emerged as a new focal point for cultural exchange. Founded by Saina Heshmati and Amir Amini—self-described "jet-lagged immigrants from Tehran"—the gallery takes its name from the geographic concept of antipodes: two points on Earth that are diametrically opposite. For the founders, who have lived in Seattle for over a decade, the gallery represents a "straight line" connecting the Emerald City’s hyper-individualism with the dense urbanity and communal connection of their native Iran.

Multi-Modal Programming in a Shared Space

Located in a basement space off South Main Street, ANTiPODE shares its home with the Seattle Jazz Fellowship. This cohabitation facilitates a multi-disciplinary approach to art, where a front room serves as a gathering space for movie screenings and performances, while the back room functions as a traditional white-walled gallery. The programming reflects a wide-ranging curiosity, featuring everything from Japanese tea ceremonies and creative writing meetups to screenings of Palestinian and Lebanese short films. The founders aim for "cross-pollination," finding harmony between different mediums to connect diverse communities.

From Tehran to Seattle: The Founders' Journey

Heshmati and Amini met as teenagers in Tehran before pursuing education abroad—Amini in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington and Heshmati in fine arts in France. Their shared desire for more exhibition opportunities for immigrant artists led to the conception of ANTiPODE. The gallery’s first major success, a group show titled "Postcard From Tehran" at the RailSpur development, proved there was a local appetite for international dialogue, providing the momentum needed to establish a permanent brick-and-mortar location.