I was born in Tehran, Iran, just as the Iran-Iraq war ended. Like many SWANA parents, mine dreamed of me becoming a doctor or engineer, but I took a different path. In high school, I shifted from science to art, diving deep into art history, philosophy, and how different cultures express themselves through visuals.

Back in Iran, I became fascinated with how art can bridge divides between people who don't understand each other, often because of misinformation. This curiosity led me to socially engaged art, using painting and performance to explore those connections.

After the 2009 Green Movement, with artists getting arrested, I saw no future in Iran for my work. In 2011, I moved to San Francisco, not knowing anyone or how to connect. So, I did something bold: I painted a Persian rug on burlap and traveled with it, placing it in different spots across the city. People would approach, recognizing the rug, and through it, I connected with strangers.

The rug became a symbol of communication. A friend later printed it on fabric and took it to Iran, where it traveled with over 60 people worldwide. I received over 2,000 photos from this journey, each one a testament to the power of art in bringing people together.