By Josemaría Moreno
Photo: Vafa Khatami
Born in Tehran, Iran, in 1978, the artist immigrated to the United States at sixteen, later earning both a Bachelor’s (2003) and Master’s (2006) of Fine Arts in photography from San Francisco State University. Her work delves into personal and social themes, particularly cultural identity, displacement, and reinvention, often reflecting universal experiences of loss and alienation. Currently, she´s celebrating a major solo exhibition at Museo de Arte de Querétaro, featuring 102 pieces spanning from 2002 to the present. The exhibition runs until June 8, 2025, after which she plans to focus on a new series inspired by her life in Mexico.
Inspiration and Artistic Direction
The artist’s work is deeply rooted in personal experience, particularly their journey as an immigrant. Her subjects often explore identity—how it is shaped by environment and lived experiences. Whether through photography, paper cuttings, or mixed media, her pieces serve as visual narratives of adaptation and self-discovery.
Creative Process: From Sketch to Intuition
Her approach varies by series. For photography-based works like the Self-Portrait series, she begins with sketches to map compositions before shooting. In contrast, abstract projects like the Letters series emerge organically; without preliminary drawings, she cuts and arranges materials intuitively, allowing the pieces to evolve during creation.
Mediums and Experimentation
Mediums are chosen to suit the subject’s emotional core. Photography captures raw personal narratives (Self-Portraits), while paper and nails in the Letters series emphasize intimacy and simplicity. The Abstract Identity series blends photography with layered paint, merging realism with abstraction. Currently, she remains open to new techniques, letting themes guide her material choices.
Narrative and Evolution
Storytelling is intrinsic to her art, though not always premeditated. Early works, like Self-Portraits, grappled with dual identities, while later series, such as Universal Identity, expanded into fragmented, multifaceted representations of self. This shift from expressive textures to minimalist repetition mirrors her personal growth—a subconscious rather than deliberate transition.
Challenges and Authenticity
The artist cites originality as a perpetual challenge: balancing evolution with authenticity. Avoiding repetition while maintaining a distinct voice requires constant self-reflection, a process evident in their stylistic progression from vibrant expressionism to subdued minimalism.
Audience Interpretation
While she creates with clear intent, she welcomes diverse viewer interpretations. “Part of art’s beauty,” she told me, “is its ability to resonate differently with each person.” This openness reflects her belief in art as a dialogue between creator and observer.
Influences and Admired Artists
Though not tied to a single movement, she admires the contrasts between Dadaism and Minimalism. Contemporary influences include minimalist Agnes Martin for her serene compositions and Chiharu Shiota for her emotionally charged installations.
Future Directions
Fresh off a collaboration with Argentinian artist Lucas Rise (Obscured by Colors, featured in their current exhibition), she looks ahead to new work inspired by Mexican culture’s impact on her identity. This next chapter promises to further explore the interplay of place and self—a continuation of her lifelong artistic inquiry.
Through her evolving practice, the artist remains committed to probing identity’s complexities, inviting viewers to witness—and perhaps see themselves in—the fragments of their journey.
