Mahnaz is an Iranian-American artist living in Northern Virginia. She works primarily with acrylic, fluid, and encaustic mediums. She employs bold colors to make revealing and emotional statements in abstract form. Her approach is guided by worldly curiosity and thoughtful reflection on a life fully lived. She did not find painting, painting found her.
Education
Mahnaz has studied under the instruction of the following professional artists:
Nurieh Mozaffari
Gavin Glakas
Gita Mirshahi
Maryam Rassapour
Collections
Private collection: Scottsdale, AZ
Private collection: Richmond, VA
Private collection: Washington, DC
Private collection: Reston, VA
Private collection: Potomac, MD
Private collection: Herndon, VA
Private collection: Las Vegas, NV
Select Solo Exhibitions
May 2022 – “Fund Raised” RVAgalleriesart Gallery@23 Richmond, Virginia
October 2018 – “Rumi”’ Gallery@23 Richmond, Virginia
2016 – “Colors whisper to me” Yellow Barn Gallery, Glen Echo Art Park, Maryland
2015 – “A Colorful Life”, Gallery@ 23 Richmond, Virginia
Select Group Exhibitions
September 2017 – Group exhibition, Pars Center, Vienna Virginia
November 2016 - January 2018 – Group exhibition, Bussboys and Poets, Washington DC
November 2016 - February 2017 – Group exhibition, as visiting artist at Gallery Andrea, Scottsdale AZ
August 2015 – Group exhibition, RAW: natural born artists, San Francisco, CA
March 2015 – Group exhibition, Rockville, MD
May 2015 – Group exhibition, RAW: natural born artists, Washington, DC
September 2014 – Group exhibition, Rockville, MD
Artist’s Statement
I began to paint as a way to challenge myself, to explore something new, unfamiliar, and creative. Through painting I have found an outlet to express how I feel about life, and to tell my story. In 1979 at the age of 23 I moved to the United States after escaping a brutal revolution in Iran, leaving behind everything and everybody, to building a new life from zero. From that experience I learned to never be afraid, never stop trying to learn something new, and never shrink from working hard to rise. My inspiration is grounded in those memories, human strength and resilience, emotion, and above all, a desire to find love, peace, and happiness. I use bold and vibrant colors, movement, and composition to represent my vision of survival, love, and joy.
I want my paintings to stimulate every human sense, and to challenge the viewer’s interpretation of the real world. My aim is to provoke, awaken, and stir the same varied emotions that I pour into the canvas. I see every being in this world in my colors, lines, movements, and shapes. Painting has empowered me to transpose my innermost feelings into static but living visuals. This has been a spiritual journey, one that expands, enriches, and fulfills my soul.