As a Persian American artist, my work is a testament to resilience, memory, and justice. My paintings narrate the stories of the Iranian Bahá’í community’s systematic persecution after the 1979 revolution—stories that are often erased, silenced, or exist only in the memories of those who lived through them. Through oil on linen, I create miniature-scale paintings that serve as visual ethnography, preserving the experiences of those who have been denied representation.
I experienced this oppression firsthand in Iran. I remember the morning when government security forces raided my home, ransacked it, and took my father to prison. I remember my younger sister crying on her way to school. Years later, she was denied access to university, and when she sought answers, she was placed in solitary confinement. These experiences are not isolated. They are part of a broader, ongoing reality that has affected generations of Bahá’ís in Iran—individuals who have been executed, imprisoned, deprived of education, and had their homes and livelihoods stripped away.
Much of what I paint has no existing visual record. The Iranian authorities have confiscated and destroyed evidence of these human rights violations. Through conversations, interviews, and archival research, I reconstruct these histories with meticulous detail, incorporating the clothing, artifacts, and environments that were present at these events. My paintings often depict individuals posing as figures from real stories, allowing those who have lived these experiences—or who carry their legacy—to become part of the storytelling process.
I grew up surrounded by stories of resilience. As a child, I accompanied my family to visit the homes of Bahá’ís who had lost loved ones to persecution. My mother, who was imprisoned at 19, spent two years behind bars; nearly all her cellmates, including Mona Mahmudnizhad a 17 year old, were later executed. We often visited their families, where I heard firsthand accounts of their unwavering spirit and sacrifice. These stories, woven into the fabric of my upbringing, shape my artistic practice today.
Through my work, I reflect on a world free from prejudice—one where people are not judged by their faith, gender, identity, race, or social status. The Bahá’ís of Iran are not the only community facing systemic oppression, and I hope my paintings spark broader conversations about justice, equity, and freedom of thought. My goal is not just to document suffering but to highlight the strength, dignity, and humanity of those who endure.
My paintings reside in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Nobel Prize Museum; and the Crocker Art Museum, preserving the stories of resilience and human rights. Through exhibitions in museums and galleries worldwide, I strive to give voice to those silenced by oppression. My work has been recognized with prestigious awards and fellowships and has been featured by major media outlets, including Boston Herald, the BBC, and Voice of America, amplifying narratives that might otherwise be forgotten.
