We’re looking forward to introducing you to T.E.S. The Esoteric Sojourner. Check out our conversation below.
T.E.S., so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I have always thought of myself as an advocate for women and their rights, however ever since 2021 when Maha Amini was murdered by Islamic Republic’s brutal morality police for the crime of not properly covering her hair, an inextinguishable fire was ignited in my soul forever shifting my outlook of life living a comfortable life of freedom in the west.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, my family were left with no other option but to remain in Iran, a decision which profoundly altered my reality. I spent formative years in Iran, but my exposure to cross-cultural experiences prior to the revolution differed from the Islamic values I was exposed to in post-revolutionary Tehran. Despite Sharia-based constitutional laws governing the country, my family were quite secular behind closed doors. This provided the space for me to be myself and to protect my ideals and core values. Coming of age under the Islamic Republic I quietly and consistently pushed back against governmental boundaries and regulations over the control of my body by rebelling against all forms of accepted gender norms. The murder of “Mahsa Amini” while in custody by the Islamic Republic’s morality police for the crime of not properly covering her hair ignited the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in 2022. It inspired me to create an artist name. and the artist “T.E.S.” was born out of the necessity to avoid becoming yet another statistic in the hands of this savage dictatorship.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe in the power of beauty and art that is an expression of it. I believe art is the ultimate connecting vehicle to bond humanity and I don’t mean only visual arts, I mean all sorts of arts: from music to painting to architecture to design, Art brings us together and we experience joy through beauty. We connect at a deeper level and understand how similar we all are. Art and the understanding of beauty are the most powerful tools mankind has ever invented. This is exactly why all world religions and powers all through history have taken advantage of art. We are all hard-wired to be influenced by beauty. Once one walks into a church or mosque we can ultimately see how we are being influenced by the craftsmanship in the artwork or architecture. Those who were aware of the secret power of beauty and art took advantage of us long before we understood how.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Having lived under Iran’s dark political system, a religious autocratic dictatorship that doesn’t resemble any other on earth, it was a great epiphany for me to witness the inconceivable bravery of Iranian citizens, especially women, rising up against four decades of gender apartheid and inhumane brutality with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. As a result, I created my first large scale installation at Oolite Arts windows at Walgreens in 2024 covering over 1000 square feet. I printed my designs on static clings and installed them inside the windows with red light projecting from behind. Encased inside the designs, I used the words: “woman”, and “woman, life, freedom” in repetition. Texts were translated using various languages and fonts to amplify the voices of freedom fighters within Iran to Miami’s international community.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My current art practice has completely changed from the past and is taking on a completely new direction. Having lived under Iran’s dark political system, a religious autocratic dictatorship that doesn’t resemble any other on earth, it was a great epiphany for me to witness the inconceivable bravery of Iranian citizens, especially women, rising up against four decades of gender apartheid and inhumane brutality with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. As a result, I created my first large scale installation at Oolite Arts windows at Walgreens in 2024 covering over 1000 square feet. I printed my designs on static clings and installed them inside the windows with red light projecting from behind. Encased inside the designs, I used the words: “woman”, and “woman, life, freedom” in repetition. Texts were translated using various languages and fonts to amplify the voices of freedom fighters within Iran to Miami’s international community.
The idea of installing my designs inside the windows with light shining through from behind came from Iranian style “Orsi” style windows which use intricate lattice work and geometry along with stained glass. The motifs encasing the texts were inspired by old Mihrab style tombstone designs which stands in sharp contrast with the soul of the movement and protestors who aspired for change and a betterment of life. The tombstone design also represents the countless innocent lives lost in pursuit of equality and liberty. Traditionally in a Muslim mosque, a mihrab is the niche built into the wall marking the direction of Mecca to worship. Contrastingly my installation is an ultimate Mihrab, pointing the direction for a global humane prayer asking for the viewers love and support in the pursuit of justice and liberty. I have been fascinated by the ancient Persian religion of Mithraism for years now and but not much research has been done on the connection of the Arabic/Islamic word “Mihrab” and the Persian word “Mehrab”. In Iran Mehrab is a combination of two words: Mehr and Ab. “Mehr” is another name for Mithras, which also means love. “Mehrab” was the given name for the house of worship for the followers of Mithras or Mehr (love) predating Islam. Much more research is needed on this topic, but I loved the idea of the installation to be inspired by Mihrab style Iranian windows and the connection of that word to the Persian word “Mehr” or love. If I believed in any religion, it would probably be the religion of “Mehr” or love as it’s called in Iran.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I will regret not manifesting all of my ideas to become reality. My biggest fear is that all my ideas for paintings, installations, and drawings remain in my head and eventually die with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oolitearts.org/exhibition/woman-life-freedom-t-e-s/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.esoteric.sojourner/
