In the heart of Mina Alikhani‘s work lies a deep connection to her heritage and a relentless pursuit of truth through art. Born in America to a Persian family that fled Iran during the 1979 revolution, Alikhani channels her unique vantage point into creating pieces that not only truly stunning but also challenge and educate. Her exhibition, ‘Crimes Against God,’ rises above mere artistic expression, serving as a bridge between cultures and a mirror to the injustices faced by many under oppressive regimes. ‘My process of creation begins with stillness… I do a lot of thinking before I even approach the canvas,’ Alikhani shares.
Her work, rooted in a desire to foster empathy and understanding, avoids the pitfalls of confrontation and shame. Instead, it invites viewers into a space of education and reflection. ‘I believe it’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times they’re living in… so that’s what I do,’ Alikhani explains, emphasizing the role of art as a catalyst for change.
In our interview, we explore the inspirations behind the ‘Crimes Against God‘ exhibition, the emotional challenges encountered in bringing such a charged topic to life, and the intricate process Alikhani employs to weave her deeply personal and political stories. We also delve into her thoughts on the role of art in societal change, her immovable commitment to artistic freedom, and her advice for young artists finding their way through the intersection of art and activism.
What personal experiences or historical events inspired you to create the “Crimes Against God” exhibition?
“Crimes Against God” stands as a poignant series, designed to enlighten the Western world about the stark realities and harrowing experiences of living beneath the theocratic governance of the Islamic Republic in Iran (IRI). It serves as my endeavor to counteract the prevailing propaganda that has effectively obscured the truth surrounding the severe gender apartheid, escalating rate of executions, and systematic oppression unfolding in Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and other regions under the sway of this oppressive regime.
Governed by Sharia Law, the operational framework of the IRI, Crimes Against God, known as Mohabereh, prohibits public dancing, LGBTQ relationships, sexual activity outside of marriage, women leaving their husbands, women revealing their hair, women singing, and any dissent against governmental policies. These transgressions are met with severe consequences, ranging from life imprisonment to the more frequent, slow, and agonizing public executions.
As a Persian woman, born in America and raised in an immigrant Persian household whose members fled Iran during the 1979 takeover led by Ali Khamenei, I feel called to not only illuminate this pressing issue but also to underscore its relevance to the Western world.
What was the most challenging aspect of creating the series?
Pulling myself out of the sorrow I feel for the suffering of the people I’m advocating for. Had my mother not fled to America in 1979 I would have been born in Iran as well… I often wonder how and why I was blessed with being born in America instead. It’s my “why”… my “reason”… I feel a deep sense of responsibility to advocate for the oppressed and to speak for the silenced.
Could you describe your artistic process? How do you approach the creation of a new piece, particularly in terms of conceptualizing and executing these emotionally charged subjects?
My process of creation begins with stillness…I do a lot of thinking before I even approach the canvas. I require a lot of alone time to think and “feel my feelings” when I’m gearing up to create a body of work. While I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to go have a college education in the arts I was granted another gift that I value more than anything you can …the ability to visualize and execute what I see in my mind’s eye… and the courage to follow my instincts.
“It’s my ‘why’… my ‘reason’… I feel a deep sense of responsibility to advocate for the oppressed and to speak for the silenced.”
Your art is really beautiful, unique and immediately caught my attention. What kind of reactions have you got from audiences to your work? Have there been any responses that particularly surprised or moved you?
Thank you – appreciate you. The feedback from my audience and collectors has been consistently heart warming. When I first started creating work rooted in activism I had a few death threats from supporters of the Islamic Republic and their terrorism however the abundance of appreciation and support from the rest has been quite moving.
What role do you believe art plays in influencing societal change and addressing humanitarian issues?
I believe it’s an artist duty to reflect the times their living in… so that’s what I do. Social Media and the news have inundated us with so much constant information it’s no wonder people have begun to lose their ability to hold attention to a subject or more importantly… care. My purpose on this planet is to create artwork that tells a story while inviting the viewer to get curious, ask questions and FEEL. I think activism through artistry is a different way in to the heart of humanity.
Freedom seems to play a significant, perhaps even the most crucial role in your art. Similarly, I believe that freedom, alongside love, represents the most vital values. Has there been a time when you had to compromise your artistic freedom? How did you handle it?
I’ve never compromised my artistic freedom… and never will.
In what ways do you hope your art will foster empathy and understanding among viewers from diverse backgrounds?
My goal is to foster empathy by way of education rather than shaming. I understand how difficult it is for people to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and truly feel their pain when they’re being ridiculed and shamed for not knowing certain elements of history, politics or worldwide humanitarian issues.
When we attack people with the truth we trigger a sense of rebellion within them, even if they know they’re wrong…they’re instinct will always be to defend themselves or retreat. Younger me approached these matters with a lot of “heat” which ultimately resulted in being met with “heat” or hurting someone which then resulted in losing their trust.
My current approach with this work is to invite the viewer to learn the cold, hard facts about some of these long standing humanitarian injustices that have seemingly gone under the radar due to propaganda, successfully distracting most of the western world with mindless media and lack of education. Although what I’m presenting in this work is created through my artistic lens, all of the information is a current and fact based depiction of what is actually happening… as in right now, in 2024.
Sharing fact based information results in education…. education creates awareness,… awareness creates conversation,…conversation creates the spread of information…. see where I’m going with this? (smiles)
“I require a lot of alone time to think and ‘feel my feelings’ when I’m gearing up to create a body of work…”
I always admire when individuals take actions to create a more just and improved world. I must confess, however, that I have nearly lost hope for global betterment. The insatiable thirst for power, wealth, and influence seems overwhelming. How do you sustain your passion for cultivating a ‘better world’ amidst these challenges?
Listen, I get it… when we zoom out and finally understand what’s really going on and who’s responsible for it..that shit feels real heavy and overwhelming. I sustain my passion for cultivating a “better world” because I have no other choice. I can’t sleep well at night knowing there is a possibility that I can help and then just not do something. Also, I’m just a believer… for better or worse, I really think almost anything is possible.
Something I’m beginning to understand is that change begins with our individual consciousness and ability to feel oneness with humanity at large. From there we can take that awareness and build community with people who are aligned with our beliefs and pursuits…and then the next thing you know, your individual consciousness is now a part of a collective consciousness and therein lies the beginning of change… strength in numbers right?
Think about it… if the toxic and negative people in this world were able to find each other, amass and create a large negative impact in this world through the spread of hatred, misinformation and manipulation… then who’s to say we can’t amass, influence and create positive change through spreading the truth, approaching social issues with less emotional reactivity and more intelligent solution based initiatives for a positive global impact?
“My goal is to foster empathy by way of education rather than shaming.”
What advice would you give to young artists who aspire to use their art to make a statement about important social or political issues?
Breathe, pray, don’t be discouraged or distracted by people who don’t understand, put one foot in front of the other, stop and smell the roses when you can, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, spend time with the babies or children as they’ll remind you that we all begin innocent and pure, spend time with elderly people as they’ll remind you that your greatest resource is time and what you do with it.…lastly, be relentless…never stop but do rest your soul when it feels weary love… it’s a long journey but we’re in this together.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
That’s a fun question to ponder but I can’t answer that… I’m just flowing with the ever changing peaks and valleys in this life (smiles)
Thank you so much for your time!
www.instagram.com/mina.alikhani
www.minaalikhani.com
