Silenced Souls

My art is a reflection of the ongoing struggles for equality and safety, particularly for women, in a world that is still far from being an equitable and secure place for everyone. Whether you're heading to work right now, embracing your child, or sharing a moment with your partner, the reality is that the world has not yet become a fair and safe space for all, especially for women.

Despite political rhetoric about equality, the question remains: do women in Afghanistan, Africa, Europe, or even in New York City at 3 AM, experience the same sense of security that women in Iran or elsewhere do? The sad truth is that the world is still far from being a suitable place for women, and I strive to be a small voice through my art, reminding us all of the ongoing struggle and the need to stand up.

The series you are witnessing began with a bitter news story. At that time, I was still in Iran, and the news was about a father who brutally killed his daughter for simply having a boyfriend. This series, created in an A5 sketchbook, was completed within three weeks, using a combination of collage and painting. I sought to express my own emotions about this issue—the anger and fear that had been brewing within me for years due to such acts of violence against women. Honor killings are a significant issue in the Middle East, where women are killed by their fathers, brothers, or husbands for asserting even the simplest of their individual right.