Magical realism allows an artist like myself to inject layers of meaning without being obvious. In American culture, where there is freedom of expression, this approach may seem forced, unnecessary and misunderstood. But this system of communication has become very Iranian.

Being political is an integral part of being Iranian. Our lives are defined by politics.

I'm really interested in social justice, and if an artist has a certain power of being heard and voicing something important, it's right to do it. It could still be done in such a way that it's not aggressive or overly didactic. I'm trying to find that form.

I find that through the study of women, you get to the heart - the truth - of the culture.

Art is our weapon. Culture is a form of resistance.

Poets use metaphors and symbolism to construct images. I construct my images in the same way, except that I am using a different form.

I think every one of us dreams, and we know what the quality of a dream is. In many ways, the reason dreams are so - mine are a little bit nightmarish, is that it's when you're really naked and can really face the things you don't face in reality, your darkest anxieties.