Inspired by the beautiful city of Shiraz -. This is a composite of my imagination of all the colors, mosaic and stain glass presented in palaces and mosques I visited.

Inspired by the beautiful city of Shiraz -. This is a composite of my imagination of all the colors, mosaic and stain glass presented in palaces and mosques I visited.

Inspired by the beautiful city of Shiraz -. This is a composite of my imagination of all the colors, mosaic and stain glass presented in palaces and mosques I visited.

Inspired by the beautiful city of Shiraz -. This is a composite of my imagination of all the colors, mosaic and stain glass presented in palaces and mosques I visited.

Inspired by the beautiful city of Shiraz -. This is a composite of my imagination of all the colors, mosaic and stain glass presented in palaces and mosques I visited.

While I was traveling in Iran and talking to young women of high school and college age, they were mostly complaining that they feel there is an invisible hand that is choking them: claustrophobic laws, personal freedoms and financially. The inspiration of this painting came mostly from those conversations as well as my interest in places of worship where we are mostly focused on the bedazzling ceilings and walls.

As an Iranian born woman living in United States my two worlds have collided. The rights of women are always under attack. It is disheartening to think we still have to fight for them in the 21st century. The boxing gloves can also be interpreted as bandages as sadly you cannot be free without a good fight for your rights . This painting pays homage to all the Muslim women who are sacrificing their life to gain freedom and equal rights.

The rights of women are always under attack even in the West and Industrialized countries. It is disheartening to think we still have to fight for them in 21st century. In this image the woman is more middle aged and tired as the fight for equal rights has been ongoing but she still can't stop her fight for equal rights.

I was inspired to paint this painting when I was going to a mosque in Shiraz, Iran. Although, I was dressed modestly and my head was covered, I was asked to wear a long veil. The second panel shows the destruction of the veil but the devout is still walking towards the place of worship and not away from it. Veiling should not be forced. It should be a choice.

I was inspired to paint this painting when I was going to a mosque in Shiraz, Iran. Although, I was dressed modestly and my head was covered, I was asked to wear a long veil. The second panel shows the destruction of the veil but the devout is still walking towards the place of worship and not away from it. Veiling should not be forced, it should be a choice.

I was inspired to paint this painting when I was going to a mosque in Shiraz, Iran. Although, I was dressed modestly and my head was covered, I was asked to wear a long veil. The second panel shows the destruction of the veil but the devout is still walking towards the place of worship and not away from it. Veiling should not be forced, it should be a choice.

Shiraz - beautiful, colorful city of poets and beauty in Iran. This is a composite of my imagination of all the colors reflected in mosaic and stain glass details in palaces and mosques I visited. Fragile and threatened by time and history.

Inspiration from Chehelsotoon, Esfahan, Iran

The veil has always existed in the Middle East to protect women from the natural elements; sun, wind and sand. It is unfortunate that an item that was created to protect women is being used as a political tool to hurt them.

The left panel depicts an adolescent cocooned. The towel is glazed with glass to show reflection as well as the fragile protection. The middle panel shows the adolescent seeking her freedom. The shard glass is a representation of this fragile freedom. The third panel depicts the choice to remove all protection. This is all being read in the western language from left to right. However, the story is quite different reading it from right to left as in many languages in the Middle East.

I took my inspiration from the Blue Mosque in Istanbul for this painting. This is completely imaginary. I have always been fascinated with women who willingly wear the veil. Their faith has become their Gilded Cage where they are denying themselves equal rights.