Interview by Ayna Musayeva

What are your works about?

The first time I experienced a strictly enforced dress code that included completely covering my head with a black scarf was very confusing. I was 7 years old and just starting elementary school. Normally a great time for young girls growing up, I was taken through a maze of rules and black clothing I would wear for the next two decades

The hijab law that was enacted March 8, 1979, forbids women in Iran to leave the house without being fully clothed while wearing closed-toe shoes and full coverage of the head and hair with a scarf or chador. In a way, this strange new law marked the time that I was becoming a woman with all its advantages and difficulties.

After leaving Iran in 2003, a huge relief came over me as hoped to get a break in the new world and not have to be constantly reminded of my prior black attire. But it’s haunting memory followed me and I felt a constant need to explain my hijab history, which now was part of me. Even now with no obligation to cover, that black wispy cotton that once was a second outfit over my real clothing is hard to discard.

Why did you choose this medium for your idea?

I use photography as a means of self-expression and highlight human feelings, emotions. I love to take photos to identify hidden qualities of my character and the others, to better understand my reality, and to express my interpretation of the world around my feeling and me.

My goal is to use my camera to open an unexplored World, a place of curious self-expression, and most importantly new stories.

How did you find your subjects for the project?

When I moved to the USA in 2006 I spend my first couple of month with my friend and artist whom I knew from

Back home and in the process of learning about my new environment, we did reconnect and go through our

The journey we both have since she left the country and where we are now and our feeling about the past and present.

WCW Questionnaire.

Describe your creative process in one word.

AM: Passion

If you could teach one, the one-hour class on anything what would it be?

AM: Art and behavioral therapy

What is the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?

AM: Documentary about Ballet dancer Sergei Polunin and La Canta about a popular Flamingo dancer from Spain.

What is the most played song in your music library?

AM: Very recent one is (In the waiting Line) by Zero7

How do you take your coffee?

AM: I like black coffee with Coconut sugar sometimes add little almond milk.

Mostly in the morning but I enjoy one cup of almond latte if I am around the good coffee shop in the evening.