โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐...โ
-๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ค๐ก๐ณ๐๐
i first sketched this spray of pomegranates, crocuses (saffron) and damask roses set over shapes inspired by ancient Iranian tile work and the rays of the pre-regime flag as i listened to Arian Moayed talk with Rostam Zafari on his How To Change The World podcast on January 8th where they brought up this quote by feminist Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzadโฆ(translations vary slightly) which i drew in my own fenglish/Irooni inspired lettering.
i find a sense of comfort & belonging in surrounding my senses with Iranian creators - my ears tingle with the sounds of Googoosh & Kourosh Yaghmaei, my eyes linger on images of ancient architecture & contemporary art from the likes of Nikoo Bafti, my nostrils flare and my mouth waters as i cook the sumptuous dishes i grew up with, following along with Najmieh Batmanglijโs Food of Life recipes. Sometimes my eyes prickle with hot tears when i overhear the specific lilt of an Iranian accent out and aboutโฆand they almost always spilling over when i read our poetry & prose over the ages, from the Shahnameh to Hafez to Forough Farrokhzad to Daliah Lina Vakili.
its a complicated time to be Iranian in diaspora. my heart swells as, from afar, i see strength, hope & resilience in the people of Iranโฆwhile my heart breaks as i see blood stain the streets. our art, our food, our myths, our culture, our unwavering hospitality, our joyโฆthis is our identity - no matter how a regime tries to silence us, it lives on in our souls, in our legacy, in our flight.
i believe i will live to see a Free Iran, and in the same breathe i continue to call for a Free Palestine, a Free Sudan, hands off Venezuela & Greenland, and for the ICE to melt. all our freedom is as entangled as the plants i draw, and the garden will thrive when they are all allowed to grow side by side.
9ร12โ print of original artwork by Kita (thatโs me!) Printed (on thick, beautifully textured watercolor paper) and packed (in a biodegradable cellulose sleeve) by me, in my very own tiny Chicago studio surrounded by cats, plants & art alchemy.
โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐...โ
-๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ค๐ก๐ณ๐๐
i first sketched this spray of pomegranates, crocuses (saffron) and damask roses set over shapes inspired by ancient Iranian tile work and the rays of the pre-regime flag as i listened to Arian Moayed talk with Rostam Zafari on his How To Change The World podcast on January 8th where they brought up this quote by feminist Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzadโฆ(translations vary slightly) which i drew in my own fenglish/Irooni inspired lettering.
i find a sense of comfort & belonging in surrounding my senses with Iranian creators - my ears tingle with the sounds of Googoosh & Kourosh Yaghmaei, my eyes linger on images of ancient architecture & contemporary art from the likes of Nikoo Bafti, my nostrils flare and my mouth waters as i cook the sumptuous dishes i grew up with, following along with Najmieh Batmanglijโs Food of Life recipes. Sometimes my eyes prickle with hot tears when i overhear the specific lilt of an Iranian accent out and aboutโฆand they almost always spilling over when i read our poetry & prose over the ages, from the Shahnameh to Hafez to Forough Farrokhzad to Daliah Lina Vakili.
its a complicated time to be Iranian in diaspora. my heart swells as, from afar, i see strength, hope & resilience in the people of Iranโฆwhile my heart breaks as i see blood stain the streets. our art, our food, our myths, our culture, our unwavering hospitality, our joyโฆthis is our identity - no matter how a regime tries to silence us, it lives on in our souls, in our legacy, in our flight.
i believe i will live to see a Free Iran, and in the same breathe i continue to call for a Free Palestine, a Free Sudan, hands off Venezuela & Greenland, and for the ICE to melt. all our freedom is as entangled as the plants i draw, and the garden will thrive when they are all allowed to grow side by side.
9ร12โ print of original artwork by Kita (thatโs me!) Printed (on thick, beautifully textured watercolor paper) and packed (in a biodegradable cellulose sleeve) by me, in my very own tiny Chicago studio surrounded by cats, plants & art alchemy.
