Heritage Garden

“Heritage Garden” reveals the exploration of my Iranian roots, owning my identity, navigating grief, and being reunited with my family. It entails floral portraits of my loved ones and tribute pieces to my late father. Using variations of red, white and blue, a common color palette found in Persian rugs and ironically the United States flag, I finally made peace with being Iranian American. As I reconnected with my aunts and cousins, I drew inspiration from their personalities and orchestrated the colors to depict their individuality. Each one completely different, but connected; tied together with roses, irises, and poppies. Inspired by Persian rugs, I incorporated a border within each piece and have drips interweaving in every direction, acting as threads of time. Showing how our past intertwines with our present. Deepening my faith and spirituality, I chose an aerial point of view for the pieces in respect to my father and ancestors watching over me.

Leili, named after my aunt I grew up with near by; an Iranian artist, entertainer, former ballerina, an extraordinary woman inside and out. Her name means queen of the night. She’s guilty of captivating every room she walks into. Her story of escapin

Leili, named after my aunt I grew up with near by; an Iranian artist, entertainer, former ballerina, an extraordinary woman inside and out. Her name means queen of the night. She’s guilty of captivating every room she walks into. Her story of escaping prison in Iran after the revolution and making a life in the United States is one of perseverance. I placed red roses in the center to represent her fire of resilience.

Lila, named after my aunt, who I was reunited with in 2022. The last time I saw her I was just a little girl. She's a mother, grandmother and artist residing in the UK. She told me stories of leaving Iran for France where she really discovered hersel

Lila, named after my aunt, who I was reunited with in 2022. The last time I saw her I was just a little girl. She's a mother, grandmother and artist residing in the UK. She told me stories of leaving Iran for France where she really discovered herself. We traveled to the south of France together and made memories I will cherish forever. I picked royal blue irises for the center of her piece to reflect her regal demeanor.

Cecile- Lila's daughter and my cousin, who I met for the first time in 2022 in the UK, where she resides with her beautiful family. She juggles mothered and being a business owner with humor and grace. She embodies a playful yet calming energy. I pi

Cecile- Lila's daughter and my cousin, who I met for the first time in 2022 in the UK, where she resides with her beautiful family. She juggles mothered and being a business owner with humor and grace. She embodies a playful yet calming energy. I picked white roses for her center to reflect her light hearted personality.

Rana, my uncle's wife, mother of Sanam and Nassim. I leaned into white roses to reflect her name meaning, elegance. A fitting name for the woman I met in 2021. She has a voice of an angel with a kind hearted nature. For the center of her piece, I

Rana, my uncle's wife, mother of Sanam and Nassim. I leaned into white roses to reflect her name meaning, elegance. A fitting name for the woman I met in 2021. She has a voice of an angel with a kind hearted nature. For the center of her piece, I placed white roses for her, pink roses for Sanam and light blue irises for Nassim.

Sanam, daughter of Rana, sister of Nassim, my cousin. Her name means idol, but it was her sweetness that inspired me the most after meeting her in 2022. I picked pink roses for her center to reflect her kindness.

Sanam, daughter of Rana, sister of Nassim, my cousin. Her name means idol, but it was her sweetness that inspired me the most after meeting her in 2022. I picked pink roses for her center to reflect her kindness.

Nassim, daughter of Rana, sister of Sanam, my cousin. To tribute her name meaning, breeze, I chose light blue irises for the center of her piece. We met for the first time in 2021. We're the same age and look most alike, yet grew up worlds apart. She

Nassim, daughter of Rana, sister of Sanam, my cousin. To tribute her name meaning, breeze, I chose light blue irises for the center of her piece. We met for the first time in 2021. We're the same age and look most alike, yet grew up worlds apart. She in Iran and me in the United States. Her family's story of leaving Iran for a better life of Canada is one of struggle, triumph and resilient love.

Maryam, my second cousin, who I've always admired. It's been twenty years since I've seen her, but I feel close to her all the same. Residing in Kuwait, she's a professor, graphic designer, yoga instructor and life coach. She's given me life advice I

Maryam, my second cousin, who I've always admired. It's been twenty years since I've seen her, but I feel close to her all the same. Residing in Kuwait, she's a professor, graphic designer, yoga instructor and life coach. She's given me life advice I'll always hold on to. Her voice is hypnotic. Calming. Grounding. I wanted the painting to feel the same.

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Photo by Kelly Calvillo

Photo by Kelly Calvillo

Photo by Kelly Calvillo

Photo by Kelly Calvillo