We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maedeh Ojaghloo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maedeh, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My name is Maedeh, and I hail from Iran. I embarked on my journey in writing when I was just 9 years old. Art has been a passion of mine since childhood, yet due to the prevailing perception in my upbringing environment that art could not be a primary pursuit, I initially pursued it as a hobby. It wasn’t until I turned 19 that I began to engage in social activities while still pursuing a career in engineering.
In 2015, when I was 22 years old, significant personal events prompted me to take a different path in life, and I decided that I wanted to focus solely on what I observed in society through my art. I realized that my art should serve as my voice in connection to my activities. I simultaneously enrolled in an animation class during my final year of undergraduate studies and maintained my job. Subsequently, I prepared for the animation master’s entrance exam and embarked on my first master’s degree program in Animation in Iran.
My journey in the realm of art has been far from linear, but I find immense joy in it because every step I take is driven by love and the belief that my work is a reflection of the voice I’ve always wanted to convey.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am Maedeh Ojaghloo, and I come from Tehran, Iran. My identity as an Interdisciplinary Artist and motion designer is complemented by my current pursuit of a second MFA degree in photography and related media at SUNY New Paltz.
Being an Interdisciplinary Artist, my creations serve as a constant reflection of the world that envelops me. In a nation marred by government-sanctioned violence, the widespread oppression of women, and a prevailing sense of despair, I am acutely aware of the pressing need to draw attention to the challenges faced by individuals in developing countries, notably Iran.
My primary mission is to ensure that the global community remains cognizant of the hardships endured by countless people in these regions. Through my artistic endeavors, I seek to take audiences on a profound journey, allowing them to intimately connect with the experiences of my fellow countrymen and women. In doing so, I aspire to amplify the voices of those who have long been silenced and to foster awareness about the deeply rooted inequalities that persist.
Ultimately, my goal is to inspire others to take action and become advocates for meaningful change. As an Artist, I see myself as a conduit for the voices and narratives of those who surround me. I fervently hope that my work will kindle a spark of empathy and activism in the hearts of others.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My objective is to motivate others to take decisive action and become advocates for change. As an artist, I envision myself as a channel for the voices and life stories of those in my community, and my aspiration is that my work will ignite a strong sense of empathy and activism in others.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Since the majority of my work is intertwined with society, I find it essential to continually stay updated. I immerse myself in numerous books, research findings, and artworks that greatly influence my creative endeavors. My dedication to researching various cultures stems from my belief in the significance of understanding what I aim to convey in my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maedehojaghloo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maedehsframe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maedeh-ojaghloo-19100b1a5/
Image Credits
All the pictures and my profile picture by Myself.