This is a photograph of my mom. I'm really interested in ideas of representation, coming from my background, which is a migrant and Iranian and a female perspective. For me, it's really important to make representations of ourselves because there's such a history of being represented by others. So to shift that frame is really important for me as an artist. My mom is fun for me, and she does come along and bring that energy and that personality. She came to visit me and there was a little bit of "I want to take your portrait" and then it quite organically happened.
Outside of the frame, the process is usually rooted in fun and communication. It's about us finding things that go together. It's a very organic, mutual process. But it is also about bringing those elements of a person's personality out. For me my mom is iconic, and I wanted to make her an icon. I wouldn't be where I am without everything that she's brought. I get to sort of live a lifestyle I couldn't in Iran, and I wanted to like pay tribute to that.
