About

I pursued my passion for art from an early age and worked both as an artist and an educator. Meanwhile, I was arrested for distributing pro-democracy newspapers in the streets of Tehran. After spending five years in political prison, I wasn’t allowed to leave the country until 1994. Since living in America, I have exhibited my paintings in Canada, Sweden, England, and the United States. 

I received my Masters of Fine Arts with honors from California State University of Long Beach in 2007 and taught at college of Marin and other institutes. 

My passion for life, the arts and education has led me to film-making and writing as well. In 2006, I won Golden "Remi" award at the 40th Annual Houston International Film Festival for my historical short film In the Grave that dealt with my political prison experience. 

After my research and years studies I began lecturing at universities and libraries about misconceptions in the practice of Islam and published my memoir of prison, A Prison Story – Iran, a testimony of bravery and fear, honesty and betrayal and ultimately, hope and victory..