The Story I Did Not Tell

Self-censorship is a reality for many in Iran under a theocratic regime, practiced for safety and societal conformity. This often leads to ignoring parts of one's true self. I have struggled with self-censorship and challenged these restrictions throughout my life.

In March 2020, I started discussing self-censorship on my Instagram page with 5000 followers. The overwhelming response inspired my project, 'The Story I Did Not Tell.' I invited people to send me stories they couldn't share publicly, illustrated each one, and published them anonymously.

Anonymity ensured participants' safety and allowed the audience to connect with the stories without bias. This experience led me to create more symbolic and abstract art forms. The delicate emotions I felt while painting made opaque colors seem too heavy, so I layered transparent colors to capture the fogginess and nuance of these experiences.