What You Just Witnessed
This performance is dedicated to the justice-seeking families in Iran. Mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and children who lost a loved one to killing, disappearance, or silencing by the Islamic Republic regime.
For more than forty years, the government in Iran has carried out executions, disappearances, and violent crackdowns against its own people: protesters, political prisoners, students, journalists, and women and men from all walks of life. Thousands have been executed without fair trials, and their families have been denied the right to grieve in public.
But these families refuse to be silent. They hold up photographs of their loved ones. They speak their names aloud. They gather in public even when it means risking arrest, interrogation, or surveillance. What they demand is simple: truth, justice, and dignity.
This performance was created in solidarity with them.
The justice-seeking families have fought for years. They demanded answers after the 1988 prison massacres, when their loved ones were buried in unmarked graves. They spoke out after protesters were killed during the 2009 Green Movement and the November 2019 uprising. They stood in defiance again during the 2022 and 2023 Woman, Life, Freedom protests. And they still seek truth and accountability for the 176 people killed when Flight PS752 was shot down in January 2020. Each time, the government has responded with intimidation and violence. Families have been arrested, interrogated, surveilled, banned from travel, and threatened.
Yet they continue to speak out. They stand in cemeteries, in city squares, and on sidewalks, holding photos of the people they lost. They speak names that the state has tried to erase. They come from different regions, religions, and political beliefs. But they are united by one truth: Justice cannot be buried.
By scanning this code, you’ve stepped into a part of their history.
Please don’t let it end here. Share what you’ve learned. Talk about it. Amplify their voices.
To stay informed and help spread awareness about Iran: Follow @IranTransitionAdvocacy
We highlight ongoing campaigns like #TuesdaysAgainstExecution, and share urgent cases, including that of Sharifeh Mohammadi, a 45-year-old human rights defender currently at risk of execution in Lakan Prison, Rasht, Gilan Province.
Your voice can be part of the resistance.
Art Performances
Khodanour's Ice Statue, Chicago, IL | 2022
Following Khodanour's tragic death, the concept of an ice statue depicting Khodanour chained to a pole emerged in my mind. I chose red as the color for the statue, symbolizing blood, and ice as the medium to allow the audience to witness its gradual melting. The red color and the melting away were symbols representing the hundreds of Iranian people who were killed during the Women Life Freedom uprising in Iran. This art performance was a collaborative effort with Nate Johnson, the creator of the ice statue, and a nonprofit organization in Chicago.
The art performance consisted of two parts. In the first part, pedestrians interacted live with the statue, and a QR code on the pole provided a link to Khodanour's story and the events unfolding in Iran. This part also involved face-to-face interactions where I shared the story behind the performance with the audience. The second part involved creating a video for social media platforms to reach an audience beyond Chicago and raise awareness about Khodanour and the Women's Life Freedom movement.
Kian's Portrait, Chicago, IL | 2023
Kian Pirfalak (image on the left) was a nine-year-old Iranian child who was shot and killed by the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on November 16, 2022. After his tragic death, a video of Kian testing his handmade boat and starting his video with “In the name of the God of rainbows” went viral.
I recreated Kian's portrait using 1000 handmade colorful paper boats for his birthday. The portrait was crafted on a 150 by 180-inch fabric. This project had two aspects. First, it involved the recreation of his portrait with the participation of both kids and adults, fostering community unity and healing throughout the process. Second, it encompassed a video that narrated a story of loss, love, and empathy. The video featured the voices of little children and adults wishing Kian a happy birthday in different languages and dialogues in Farsi and English, showcasing the step-by-step process of creating the piece. It concluded with a bird's-eye view of the finished artwork. I planned every element to serve a purpose in the video.
This was an art performance in collaboration with a Chicago-based nonprofit organization.
Navid's Portrait, Chicago, IL | 2023
Navid Afkari born on July, 26, 1993, was an Iranian wrestler. Afkari was an accomplished wrestler and had won several medals in national competitions. In 2018, he participated in protests against the Iranian government, which led to his arrest. He was charged with multiple offenses, including the alleged murder of a security officer during the protests. Human rights organizations, as well as activists, called for his release, arguing that he was tortured to confess. Despite international pleas for clemency, Navid Afkari was executed on September 12, 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. His case drew attention to human rights issues in Iran and sparked condemnation from various entities worldwide. Before his execution, Navid Afkari sent an audio message from prison describing the injustice he faced during his sham trial.
This video shows the process of painting Navid Afkari's portrait on a canvas mounted on the wall, using acrylic paint. Throughout the painting process, Navid Afkari's final audio message is played, adding a poignant and emotional element to the video. I collaborated with a musician and composer based in Australia, and together we curated the visual and audio elements, enhancing the overall impact of this poignant tribute. This work was done in collaboration with a Chicago-based nonprofit organization.
Sketches & Paintings
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