Iran, with its thousands of years of cultural and scientific achievements, has been misrepresented for the past 45 years by the extremist regime that seized power. This so-called government has overshadowed Iran’s rich and ancient history, reducing its global identity to one associated with terrorism, oppression, and anti-women policies. This regime, rooted in fanaticism, promotes an Arabic religion and language that do not reflect the core values of Iranian culture. Instead, Iran’s authentic identity, a tapestry of art, philosophy, and peace, has been suppressed under the weight of corruption, propaganda, and brutality toward dissent.

This piece presents an Iranian fairy tale, one deeply personal to my experience. Growing up, I faced a stark dichotomy: the aggressive, dogmatic ideas of Islamic extremism versus the peaceful and profound philosophies of Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage. Rejecting the former, I began to explore the world’s cultures and spiritual practices, finding many traditions more aligned with my understanding of universal consciousness than the rigid ideas of Islamic thought. This journey has inspired a pragmatic approach, one that embraces the strengths and wisdom of every culture and spiritual philosophy. This mindset is, in fact, truer to the original Persian worldview, which values unity, coexistence, and peace over the aggressive ideologies of jihad and destruction.

All Good Ideas Are Welcomed in My Iranian Garden is an artistic celebration of this harmony. The piece interweaves symbols from Persian culture and global spiritual traditions, representing a coexistence of ideas in one stream of consciousness.

Through transparency and a cohesive style influenced by Persian manuscript illustrations, I use the concept of indexicality to connect diverse symbols. This garden of ideas reflects my belief in the beauty of cultural exchange and the potential for unity beyond borders, ideologies, or histories. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Iranians and humanity’s shared pursuit of peace and understanding.