We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Roya Nazari Najafabadi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Roya, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I am committed to empowering communities by promoting cultural awareness and understanding through art education.
Art is important to me because it brings people together in meaningful conversation. In my academic and professional experience, I have seen how art opens new paths of understanding. Not only creating art but also making it relevant and accessible to all – a method that enhances the lives of individuals while simultaneously strengthening community bonds.
Art should be used to reflect on society and bring about change. This is my motivation.
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?
Roya Nazari Njafabadi, a MFA student at the University of Minnesota,. I began my journey in art as a child, thanks to the vivid memories of colors and images I saw around me. This early exposure ignited my interest in discovering the impact of colors on emotions and social interaction.
What I do:
In my artistic work, I create spontaneous works that are thought-provoking and combine colors and people in surprising ways. I use vibrant colors or dynamic compositions in my art to stimulate viewers’ feelings and environments, while bringing social issues into the public eye.
*Services and Creative Works**
The Art of Installations
The Primariart installations are designed to engage audiences and deliver strong messages. Performances use motion to drive viewer engagement.
Painters and sculptors: *Using various materials to express and explore complex themes**.
My work stands out for its intense emotional expression and profound social commentary. The audience is not just able to look at my art, they are also able to experience it, which makes them question their prejudices and perceptions.
What I am most proud of?
My art has helped create greater empathy and understanding between people of different backgrounds. The power of art is evident in how my work transforms public spaces and impacts personal perspectives.
**For Potential Clients/Followers/Fans:** Anyone interested in my work should know that each piece provides an invitation to explore deeper truths about ourselves and society. The purpose of my art is to bring together different cultures, perspectives, and ideas while educating, enriching, and inspiring viewers. My portfolio is a unique resource for anyone looking to explore or commission an art piece, work on an activist project, or commission commissioned art.
My art is a way to change reality, not just reflect it. Each piece represents a step towards achieving societal inclusion and visual sensitivity.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Absolutely! An important turning point in my journey came during my initial year at the MFA program at the University of Minnesota. Although at first I struggled to find my artistic voice among talented peers and felt doubt and inadequacy, instead of giving in to these obstacles, I embraced my unique perspective based on my experiences and cultural background from Iran.
As part of my artistic explorations into color’s influence on social behavior – something deeply personal – I developed an innovative installation using lighting to alter color dynamics and viewer perception; which received rave reviews. Not only was the project immensely satisfying for viewers and myself alike, it affirmed my dedication to weaving personal and cultural aspects into my art; further reinforcing its transformative power by pushing beyond limitations in artistic expression with perseverance and authenticity.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Artistic Residency Programs: Residencies are a fantastic way to immerse oneself in a new environment, meet other artists, and focus intensely on personal projects. Websites like ResArtis and TransArtists provide listings of residency opportunities around the world.
Social Media for Artists: Learning how to effectively use social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or Behance for artists can be a game-changer for getting one’s work seen by a global audience and connecting with fellow artists and potential clients.
Digital Tools and Software: Learning about digital tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) or 3D modeling software (Blender, SketchUp) early on would have greatly expanded my ability to experiment and visualize concepts digitally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.royanazari.com
- Instagram: @royanazari1992
Image Credits
women’s body limitation/photographs
human degeneration/paintings
behind the mask/sculpture