Meet Roya Nazari Najafabadi

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roya Nazari Najafabadi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
On my artistic journey, I explore themes of self-discovery and expression relating to Iranian women’s experiences; my practice seeks to elicit strong emotional responses while exploring complex societal narratives through art. I aim for each piece to spark genuine emotional engagement while connecting viewers to my artwork by drawing out feelings expressed through emotive artwork that encourages viewers to connect to its emotions and sentiments. Art is more than simply an outlet; art should serve as a dialogue-starting device that encourages viewers to participate, reflect upon, and even change their perception of reality. By employing both two- and three-dimensional mediums I strive to craft immersive experiences that make art accessible and relatable for audiences so they may fully experience its depth of emotion firsthand.
Recently, my research focus has shifted toward investigating the relationship between environmental elements and human emotions. My exploration goes beyond mere aesthetic representation to explore how our surroundings impact both emotional and psychological well-being – thus offering me a chance to investigate deeply how external conditions impact internal realities.
My commitment to art goes far beyond simple creation; my objective is to use art to bridge individual experiences with universal truths. This can be seen most vividly in my work that centers on Iranian women’s journeys of resilience and struggle through art – stories which reveal journeys toward liberation, self-discovery against social constraints or personal hardships.
My creative process involves an active interplay of color, form, and motion – using each element intentionally to elicit specific feelings or provoke thought – making each work an intricate puzzle of emotions designed to engage viewers actively. Color selection plays an especially vital role as it directly affects moods and perception, amplifying my artworks’ communicative capabilities.
Through immersive installations and engaging visual narratives, my goal is to give viewers not only something visual to experience but something deeper – that sense of movement, migration, and transformation that runs throughout. These themes are universal yet intimately tied to specific experiences of women I portray who must navigate emasculating landscapes towards freedom and self-realization.
My artistic endeavors serve a dual function; they allow me to explore deeply personal memories and emotions while at the same time acting as public invitations for dialogue on larger societal issues. Through my art I also seek not only to delve into human emotion and dynamics of society but also provide visibility for marginalized voices through this platform of change.
My art serves as a medium through which I explore the intricacies of human emotions and social interactions. It serves both as a mirror to reflect upon my personal journey as well as an outlet for social commentary; providing both introspective examination of personal experience as well as critical examination of broader societal concerns. By engaging both these elements simultaneously, my goal is to enrich viewers understanding both themselves and the world they inhabit, encouraging a greater appreciation for art’s transformative power.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art explores the dynamic terrains of self-discovery, Iranian women’s expressive journey, and societal roles through an artistic lens. What sets my work apart is my commitment to not just portraying but engaging viewers deeply with emotional and societal narratives I explore through both two- and three-dimensional mediums, so they feel human emotions embedded into social contexts. My journey into professional art was far from easy. It required relentless passion, an intimate knowledge of cultural dynamics, and an unconventional take on traditional forms. There were plenty of challenges along my journey–finding appropriate mediums to express complex themes or being recognized in an arena often overlooking voices from marginalized backgrounds–but my determination saw me through them all with ease.
From my experiences, the greatest lessons have been in resilience and authenticity. Each setback taught me something new to improve upon techniques or expand artistic voice; reinforcing how essential it is to remain faithful to one’s vision regardless of external pressures.
“Hollow Bodies,” my ongoing project, captures beautifully the spirit and process of transformation and the release of suppressed expression through garments representing women striving for liberation through wearable sculptures made out of frozen garments resembling the frozen voices of those striving for liberation. Not only does it demonstrate my artistic talents and creative vision but it also shows my commitment to producing art that resonates both personally and societally.
What I want the world to understand about my brand and story is that it embodies courage, innovation, and the never-ending quest to understand and convey deeper human experience truths through visual storytelling. Not just art-making – rather igniting conversations about identity freedom and art transformation through visual storytelling! I hope my work contributes to a larger dialogue about art’s transformative power as part of an overall dialogue around the identity freedom transformation art can play in society today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: The Grand Entrance Your art adventure starts here, at the Walker Art Center – an institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art that features galleries that challenge convention and generate thought provoking conversations. Nearby lies Minneapolis Sculpture Garden’s whimsical “Spoonbridge and Cherry”. After your explorations are done, treat yourselves to lunch in one of Minneapolis’ charming cafes while discussing all that art you just encountered!
Day Two: University Art Treasures
Begin your second day exploring university art treasures at the Weisman Art Museum, featuring its reflective stainless steel facade designed by Frank Gehry to reflect its innovation inside. Wander among modern, contemporary, and Native American collections here before wandering over to University of Minnesota where Nash Gallery features experimental works created by both students and professors that challenge your perceptions of what constitutes art. Finally, dine among academics while taking in Dinkytown’s youthful energy before returning home at nightfall!
Day Three in St Paul
Visit St. Paul to experience its artistic heart. Begin at the Minnesota Museum of American Art for an illuminating narrative on American creativity with special focus on Minnesota artists; stroll along Lowertown where studios welcome curious visitors; while fresh paint aroma and creativity fills the air here as you wander studio doors open their doors and welcome curious passerby’s through their doors; end your visit at one of St Paul’s cozy bistros for an enjoyable meal as the day winds down!
Day 4: Bohemian Flair
Set aside one day to exploring the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. This neighborhood of converted warehouses brims with artistic energy; meet local artists as you watch them work while discovering something truly original from Minneapolis! Lunch and dinner may include stops at quirky local breweries where art meets fine painting!
Day 5: Performance Art
Enjoy art that moves. Visit alternative spaces such as Soap Factory and Intermedia Arts renowned for innovative performances and installations, followed by afternoon theatre/dance performances at Rarig Center at University of Minnesota showcasing dynamic performing arts performances like theatrical/dance. Conclude your tour by dining in venues that double up as art galleries – offering both beauty and sustenance to satisfy both body and eyes!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Acknowledging one’s achievements requires acknowledging both support and inspiration from within their community and outside it – so I would like to dedicate this shoutout to a mix of influential mentors as well as my vibrant arts community whose support I’ve received throughout this journey. My sincerest appreciation goes out to my family for always believing in my vision, and providing both emotional and practical support that enabled me to explore creative depths with ease.
My academic mentors during my MFA program deserve immense credit; Professor Christine Baumler, Diane Willow and Mathew Zefeldt at the University of Minnesota played a critical role in shaping my artistic ethos and projects with ecological considerations at their core. Her approach not only taught technical skills but deepened my appreciation of art’s environmental impacts as well.
Additionally, I want to thank both local and global artist communities for continually inspiring me. These groups offer invaluable support, collaboration, and critical feedback that is crucial for artists. Their diverse perspectives and innovative practices have greatly broadened my own knowledge base and practices of art.
As a final point, I must acknowledge all of the books and writings that have fed my intellectual curiosity and provided theoretical foundations for my work. Arghavan Khosravi’s work as well as discussions surrounding feminist art movements have had significant influences in shaping my focus on social themes as well as art’s potential activism potential.
All these influences have contributed to my growth as an artist and individual, helping me explore complex themes while making art that I hope resonates with and inspires others.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royanazari1992/