"WE"

"We" represents a portrait project I undertook while living in Mashhad, Iran, one of the world's most religious cities located in the northeast of Iran. This collection features women mandated to wear a specific hijab in their daily lives. Photographed against a plain black background, intentionally focused on their silhouettes portrayed elimination of their individuality and identity. The series serves as a contemplative exploration of the challenges to personal identity within a society that enforces veils. Displayed in various international exhibitions, including in Dubai, London, New York, and Frankfort as well as in a group exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, South Korea. The collection has sparked conversations about the impact of societal norms on individual expression and identity. 

"Hope in Black"

"Hope in Black" is a photographic collection that emerged from the inspiration drawn from the resilient individuals surrounding me during my time in Iran. Witnessing their perseverance in navigating the challenges of life in Iran—despite financial, societal, and freedom constraints—became the driving force behind this series. I captured their stories, their lives, and their unyielding spirit. This collection, created two years before leaving my homeland forever, reflects the prevailing darkness that surrounded everything, yet within the hearts of the people, I discovered small sparks of hope for a better future. Even amid the blackened circumstances, they continued to live, pushing forward with a tenacious belief in the possibility of brighter days ahead.

"Beauty: A Beholder's View"

During high school, nearly three-fourths of my classmates underwent nose surgery, as it became the cultural norm—the pervasive culture of alteration. Beauty standards were dictated by societal norms, and everyone grappled with predetermined notions of what was considered beautiful. These formative years are especially fragile, shaping confidence and perspectives on the world. Nose surgery discussions were omnipresent, starting in early adolescence and persisting through college. Witnessing friends lose their authenticity to the growing culture of alteration was a daily occurrence. There wasn't a single day when a classmate with bloodshot eyes, bruising around the nose and eyes, and facial bandages didn't attend school right after a nose job. The repetitive nature of these experiences was, without a doubt, traumatizing.

I conceived the idea to juxtapose wide-open eyes during a nose job surgery, creating a visual where the patient stares directly at the viewer. This connection through the eyes, often considered the gateway to the soul, was inspired by Rumi's insight into inner beauty. The result is a jarring piece of shock art that mirrors the shocking nature of the cultural phenomenon it aims to address. This artistic representation challenges norms and sparks contemplation on the deeper essence of beauty within.

This collection was showcased at Milk Gallery, New York and London.