Two best friends, Amir Amini and Saina Heshmati, founded ANTiPODE gallery in Seattle in September 2025. The gallery prioritizes immigrant and established artists, with 70% of exhibitions dedicated to immigrant artists and 30% to local artists, aiming to act as a cultural bridge between Seattle and cities like Tehran. The founders previously curated a group exhibition called "Postcard from Tehran" at the RailSpur building, which inspired the gallery's mission. ANTiPODE also hosts events such as movie nights and experimental music and dance performances to connect with the local community.
This matters because ANTiPODE addresses the immigrant experience through its curatorial focus, using the concept of "jet-lag" to describe the dislocation felt by many artists. By framing itself as a bridge between cultures, the gallery offers a model for how art spaces can support diverse voices and foster cross-cultural dialogue. Its emphasis on both immigrant and local artists highlights the importance of community connection in sustaining a gallery's mission.