Meet Mehregan Pezeshki | Multimedia Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mehregan Pezeshki and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mehregan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My work is often autobiographical, unraveling the traumatic memories of my youth while growing up as a free-spirited young girl in the socially restrictive Islamic Republic of Iran. I try to uncover hidden behavior, privacy and deeply rooted traditions, which affects our daily lives. I ask us to consider the ramifications of our innermost desires and invite the audience to rethink how they interact with others. In this path, being brave and taking risks are my most important assets. It’s not easy to get out of the comfort zone and fight with the ordinary. But the excitement of taking a risk and putting myself out of my comfort zone is what makes me different. I try to open up the space for conversations that are often considered inappropriate. That doesn’t mean that I have no fears but I force myself to face it and pass through it.

There is always a fear of being trapped in an ordinary life for me. I always try to get out of my comfort zone and situate myself in a new environment. Whenever I create a new body of work I question myself how much risk I was taking in the creation. And how can I push it further. To experience something new and learn more.

I believe to be liberated is to take risks. The excitement and adventure that taking risks brings to my life is worth the risk!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Reading and researching is one of the most important aspects of my practice. To keep myself updated, I try to learn new things and constantly question myself. What is important for me? What is being a barrier on my path? How can I translate my thoughts to a visual language?

What I learned is that making art is about living life in the moment and expressing emotions, that means to look at life as an everyday performance. If you are able to accomplish that, then your art becomes unique and authentic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
After living in the state for 13 years and being dislocated many times I finally felt home when I was on the Hollywood Sign Trail. When I take that walk I feel I belong to the city. I live in Silverlake and I have many favorite places in Sunset Blvd to dine in and hang out, such as Kombu Sushi, Paz Gelato with their amazing Vegan Banana Nut ice cream, El Condor with their great Negroni, and the list goes on.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The people you surround yourself with are always the ones that inspire. But you have no control on them at the same time. The first person who truly inspired me in life is my belated father. He taught me how to live an ambitious life and contribute to my society. I also have a great appreciation for my Calarts Community, faculties, peers and the history that Calarts holds in itself.

Website: Mehreganpezeshki.com

Instagram: Mehreganpezeshkistudio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehregan-pezeshki-6b42b627/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mehreganpezeshkistudio-115644846469377

Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user89425759