We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pooneh Nik a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Pooneh, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have worked on recently is a series of paintings related to the death of Jina ‘Mahsa’ Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, who died after being brutally beaten by the Islamic Republic guidance patrol because of her improper hijab.

As an artist, I believe that art has the power to raise awareness and spark change. Through these paintings, I hope to shed light on the human rights abuses that are happening in Iran and to support the movement for freedom and democracy in the country.

This project is meaningful to me because I believe that everyone should have the right to live their lives freely, without fear of persecution or violence. Mahsa’s tragic death is a reminder of the importance of this movement and the need for change. I hope that my paintings can contribute to this change in some way, and bring attention to the plight of the people in Iran.

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 an artist and professional painter. I have always had a passion for art, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue it as a career. I studied art in college and have been working as a professional painter ever since.

My paintings are mostly surreal and sometimes fantasy-based. utilizing many kinds of media, such as digital or oil. I believe that art should be a reflection of the world around us, but also something that can transport us to a different place and time. I use symbolism and metaphor in my work to create a dream-like atmosphere, and to convey deeper messages and emotions. My paintings are not just about what’s visible on the surface, but also about the hidden layers and meanings that can be discovered upon closer inspection. I want my viewers to question their perceptions and to look beyond the obvious. I try to create an immersive experience with my paintings, that can take people on a journey of imagination and contemplation.

I believe that art has the power to spark change and make a difference in the world. That’s why my work is not just about creating beautiful pieces, but also about making a statement and starting a conversation. I am most proud of the impact that my work has had on people. I have received feedback from many viewers who have been moved by my paintings and feel that they have helped to raise awareness about important issues.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Supporting artists and creatives means providing them with opportunities to connect and collaborate with others, valuing and promoting their unique perspectives and styles, and providing platforms for them to showcase their work. This can be done through virtual communities, exhibitions, festivals, and other platforms that allow them to reach new audiences and grow their craft. However, censorship of artists can be a barrier to this support, as I personally experienced getting my work censored by Instagram and being shadow-banned due to my political posts. Society should strive to provide a safe space for artists to express themselves without fear of censorship, and platforms that promote the freedom of expression.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist is all about expressing myself and connecting with others through my work. Seeing my ideas and feelings resonate with people is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy using my art to raise awareness about important issues and start conversations. Plus, I love experimenting with different mediums and styles, and incorporating hidden symbols and creating an air of mystery in my work. It’s a constant journey of self-discovery and evolution, and that’s what makes it so fulfilling.

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