SAINTPAINT

Leaving my family and homeland behind to experience a new life in the United States, I was surprised to find professors constantly questioning my focus on Islam in my RESISTANCE SUBMISSION  series.  To facilitate their understanding of my life experience in Tehran, I asked them to sit for me wearing a "veil".  This idea was not just an attempt to witness their discomfort.  I assumed my imposed  enforcement; albeit lasting momentarily; would enable me to see their reactions. I expected their negative reception to my idea and to turn down the offer.  Contrarily, and much to my surprise, they graciously accepted to pose for me.  

I had just started reading Pamuk's "My name is Red". Mesmerized by his novel as well as the time period it was set in,  his characters mirrored the experiences of artists living under the Islamic Republic. Gradually as I progressed with the portraits and the novel, I discarded the veil and  layered Eslimi  patterns usually found in Persian miniatures, rugs  and architecture unto them. What resulted was was my  interpretation of Persian miniatures. 

These portraits were followed by my "Saint Burlesque" series. 

Images are in descending order, top to bottom from the date of their creation.

All photos in the 'Saint Paint' series are courtesy of Alfonso Corona.