Mahsa
Jan 2023
Pronounced : Maeh- sa
Persian meaning : Like the moon
September 2023 the death of Mahsa Amini by the mortality police in Iran, struck a deep chord in me and the world. Her death inspired an uproar of protests of Iranians risking their lives. The dismal reality afterwards of imprisonment and hangings makes hope for freedom hard to hold onto. I created this piece in honor of Mahsa Amini and to continue to shed light on what’s going on in Iran. Her name means “like the moon” and its beauty. I used irises as inspiration as I filled the night sky and craters of the moon. The folds in the petals of an iris and their velvety quality remind me of fabric, the very thing that cost Mahsa her life. Creating this piece gave me a place to channel all the pain and richness of what it means to be Iranian. My intention was to create a sense of empowerment and bring beauty to her name. To remind everyone to hold on to hope when you see the moon.
Minoo
June 2023
Pronounced : Me-new
Persian meaning : Heaven
A tribute to my father. My idea of what heaven looks and feels like. For the full story check out my blog.
Shokoufeh
June 2023
Pronounced : Shoe- Kou- fay
Persian meaning -Blossom
A tribute to my father. My idea of what heaven looks and feels like. For the full story check out my blog.
a few notes..
Inspired by Persian rugs, I paint rotating the canvas in every direction; allowing the painting to function in all orientations as a rug would. To avoid anchoring the painting, I’ve hidden my signature within; making it something to look for. Drips I now see as threads interweaving through the layers of paint. The boarder within the painting is another element pulled from Persian rugs. Irises eventually became the flower I drew inspiration from. Their lavish petals bring an obvious beauty, but I found irony of the iris in our eyes and seeing myself in a new way intriguing. The compositions are a play on symmetry and Rorschach ink blot tests. Again another a way to ask myself and the viewer what we see within ourselves.
The originals on canvas are not for sale, however I’ve created a few smaller versions on paper and have limited editions prints available coming soon.