Today I print what is in my heart. I cut paper stencils and screenprinted my own messages. BEFIERCE bekind series is based in Buddhist philosophy. We are encouraged to be fierce and lean in often. I consider being fierce and kind at the same time. ACHEART , HEATHEART and HEARTHURTS prints are the core of Persian poetry. Persian literature is steeped in desire and heartache. At the time, I was researching artists who used language in their artwork to express messages directly. I found the work of Corita Kent and became inspired by her colorful provocative prints. She was a nun and educator in Los Angeles who made screenprints calling for peace and justice, most notably in the 60’s and 70’s.
Making visual poetry is a liberating process because there is no limit to what I can describe. In this work words become containers for emotion. I experiment with them visually—letters become shapes and lose their meaning. The word itself and the message is important—but it is a starting point. It is important that the energy and playfulness is present in the prints.
