Behnaz Monzavi
MFA ’25 Fine Arts 2D
I am a painter and printmaker specializing in Persian miniature art and mixed media, blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary narratives. My current work explores themes of identity, resistance, and women’s rights in Iran, using symbolism, abstraction, and storytelling to reflect both personal and collective struggles. Inspired by Persian floral and bird motifs, I incorporate them into my work as a reflection of my experiences as an immigrant. Embracing vibrant colors, I find joy and emotional connection through my artistic process, which serves as a response to the hardships of my personal life.
My recent work critically engages with Iran’s socio-political landscape, addressing gender inequality, censorship, and resilience. By integrating archival materials and historical references, I create a visual dialogue between past and present. Over the past year, I have also explored sculptural techniques, creating and painting over my own body casts to examine themes of physical presence, personal history, and the constraints imposed on women’s bodies.
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Behnaz Monzavi(b. 1981, Iran) is a Boston-based painter and printmaker whose work merges Persian miniature art with contemporary themes of identity, resistance, and women’s rights in Iran. She earned her BFA from the University of Washington and incorporates body casts to examine societal pressures on Persian women. Her work has been featured in juried exhibitions, including the Figurative Art Exhibition in Seattle. Monzavi has received awards such as the Puget Sound and George Nick.
