Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

I’m most drawn to creating narrative figurative work that sits between reality and delusion. My favourite pieces are those that convey emotions through surreal, symbolic and fragmented format. I have always been drawn to art that tells a story and holds a sense of mystery. I want the viewer to pause, to feel unsettled or curious, and to engage with the work through their own experiences and perceptions.

Where do you find inspiration?

I often find inspiration in a single emotion, poetry, music, lyrics, or film dialogue. I’m drawn to in-between states where reality and imagination blur, and emotions feel fragmented or unspoken. Dreams, memory, and internal tension shape my work. My sense of cultural displacement and duality also influences me, along with contrasting visual languages like Iranian Qajar paintings and darker surreal imagery. I’m inspired by ambiguity, mystery, and emotional depth beneath the surface.

What would you do with $25,000?

I would invest it in developing a new large-scale body of work and would use the funds for materials, studio space, and a dedicated residency to research and create without constraint. I would also produce a short art film to expand my practice into moving image. Another portion would support local artists by organizing group shows and ensuring fair payment, creating space for collaboration, visibility, and community growth.