art by zahra hooshyar
Mulberry Literary Fresh Voices Award First Place Winner
Zan (زن)
Artist Statement: Trying to grapple with the post-studio life of a recent art graduate, Hooshyar has began to make digital works that are more accessible to make as compared to large scale sculpture. This piece was created in response to the current events in Iran, where Hooshyar is from. A digital illustration of three Iranian women, one with a full hijab, one with a partial hijab and one with all her hair flowing. Advocating for the rights for women to choose what they want to do with their bodies. The current events in Iran are devastating and hard to explain to non-Iranians due to the complicated history of Iran that has been propagandized by American media for many decades, Hooshyar has been implementing easy to understand infographics, education sessions and attending as many marches and vigils as possible to speak loudly about the movement.
Zahra Hooshyar is an Iranian-American artist who works in many realms of creation. Investigating correlations between materials and movements, objects and memories, language and belonging, Hooshyar often finds themself being a translator and storyteller on top of being an artist. Working with ceramics, found objects and appropriated poetry, Hooshyar works to create immersive worlds that she invites participants to engage with. Recently graduated from the University of California- Davis with a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and a minor in Persian Studies and also holding a prior degree in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, Hooshyar focuses on subjects of the Iranian Diaspora, belonging, memory, and environmental issues and education through social practice, installations, and radical interventions. When they are not using natural and raw materials to create site-specific installations, Hooshyar can be found scrounging through the dump for objects to transform. While the formal aspects of Hooshyar works are constantly shifting, Hooshyar focuses on materials and processes that feed their desire for experimentation and tactility in their work.
Hooshyar is currently working in Sacramento, where they now reside with their 7 year old mutt, Sayeh