Mina is an Iranian-American multi-disciplinary artist who has made a name for herself with her figurative surrealist style, and her bold commitment to honesty and defiantly portraying cultural and societal norms. She is a purpose-driven artist whose work addresses pressing issues like political and humanitarian injustices, gender apartheid, and artistic oppression.

Her work explores the female human experience through the representation of the female form. Body language. Movement. Color. Her twist and contort, unashamed to take up the pictorial space and unafraid to defy the laws of gravity with bodies carved out of paint and color.  Her debut show, Defiance, took place in the heart of Los Angeles in the fall of 2022  the same week the 22-year-old Iranian woman Masha Aimini was killed by the morality police in Tehran.  From that point on Alikani’s mission was crystal clear. Her purpose as an artist was to hold a mirror up to the world and she followed Defiance with, Revolution, a body of work that debuted at Art Basel 2022. dedicated to the humanitarian crisis in Iran, giving voice to the voiceless and starting a conversation.

Her newest series that she is currently working on is titled Crimes Against God and serves as a visual portrayal of the IRGC’s policies under Sharia Law, punishable by death or life in prison

Your art is very socially and culturally provoking. What drew you to this subject matter? 

Thank you for that reflection 🙂 

The subject matter is personal to me on a few accounts. Being that I’m a Persian woman born in America, raised in an immigrant household…I’ve had the opportunity to see and learn how vastly different the quality of life and daily experiences are between Eastern and Western cultures. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the effects of artistic oppression, gender apartheid, injustice and terrorism from an up-close perspective through my upbringing, relatives and culture.

I’ve also independently suffered through my own personal journey of oppression, abuse and injustice which has led me to a place of seeking liberation and justice through my artistic expression in this recent series.

Have these always been your favorite themes to portray or when did you start exploring them?

I wouldn’t call these themes my “favorite” per se…in fact, oftentimes these themes feel heavy to hold. That being said, I believe these are very important themes to address and I’m not interested in just creating “pretty pictures” but rather work with significant context and messaging.

I guess you could say work with context and significant messaging is and always will be “my favorite”  😉

I started exploring this back in 2021 right after my first solo exhibition.

What drew you to the surrealist style? Who were your inspirations growing up?

Life has felt surreal for me so often that it’s probably created the filter and lens in which I experience life and create.

I’m quite inspired by the works of Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Dorothea Tanning, Joan Miro, etc,…their work forces you to think and feel in a very unique way…next level, ya know?

Tell us about Crimes Against God and the meaning of the title of the show.

Crimes Against God is a translation of the Farsi/Arabic of the word Moharebeh/Hirabah which in Sharia Law (under the Islamic Republic in Iran) is charged in their theocratic based judicial system that is punishable by execution or exile (life in prison). Under Sharia Law in any areas of the world where that is the governing law, just about anything their corrupt judicial system and morality police can be deemed as a “Crime Against God”.

I’ve titled my show Crimes Against God while showcasing works that reflect what people would be charged, imprisoned and executed for under this law. It’s quite shocking because the viewer might think…”huh, these figures are just dancing though? This piece shows people doing things that are a part of our everyday human existence… I don’t get it?” and that right there is the point exactly…it makes no logical sense that these things would be considered a crime against anyone..let alone God. In fact, it feels more like a crime against God to strip people of their very basic human rights and torture them for things like showing their hair, singing in public, being LGBTQ, etc,..the irony is heavyyyy.

Tell us some stories of your childhood and upbringing that shaped your creativity and artistry?

I’ll spare you the sob stories because we all have them in one way or another but I think feeling unseen, out of place and emotionally neglected in my childhood created this need to express. I spent a lot of time alone as a kid and as a coping mechanism I learned to visualize and entertain myself with daydreams and fantasy.

What is your process like? How do you translate such cogent social issues into visual art?

My process and general way of life begins with understanding…I read a lot. I go out of my way to research topics and social issues past media headlines. The internet is a beast but it’s also a liberator…all the information you’re seeking is there..you just gotta be seeking it.

I then think, reflect and visualize…and then the work just flows through me.

What kind of reaction do you usually get from your audience? 

My general audience has been quite supportive…they are quite complementary and reverent. Back in 2022 when I first started putting this type of work out I did receive a series of death threats from extreme supporters of terrorism but lately it’s mostly positive feedback.

What kind of impact is your work making within the Iranian community?

We’d have to ask the Iranian community about that but I do sincerely hope that it’s helping us all feel a bit more connected, heard and supported.

What does the future beyond Crimes Against God entail for you?

In true artist’s fashion I’m already working on my next series…I’m exploring a slightly different subject matter and mediums I haven’t worked with before.

I won’t say more about it because right now the focus is on Crimes Against God.

Stay tuned… xxoo