Translating Complexity into Visual Language
- Mahshid Gorjian
- May 27
- 4 min read
Interview with Mahshid Gorjian
1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
My art journey began with formal training in fine arts, where I developed a strong foundation in drawing, painting, and visual composition. Over time, my practice expanded beyond traditional media into digital visual art, creative technologies, and research-informed visual storytelling. This evolution was driven by a growing interest in how visual language can communicate complex ideas, especially social, cultural, and environmental issues, to broad audiences.
Alongside my studio practice, I pursued advanced academic training in creative technologies and later in geography, urban planning, and design. These experiences profoundly shaped my work. I became increasingly focused on using art not only as aesthetic expression but as a tool for education, accessibility, and public engagement. Today, my practice sits at the intersection of fine art, research, and visual communication, with work exhibited and published internationally through juried platforms.
2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.
A typical day for me balances research, creation, and refinement. I usually begin by reviewing references—this may include academic texts, environmental data, cultural theory, or visual archives, depending on the project I am developing. Research plays a crucial role in my process, as many of my works are grounded in real-world themes and data.
Studio time involves digital painting, visual composition, or developing series-based frameworks rather than isolated pieces. I also spend time editing, revising, and preparing work for exhibitions or publications. Administrative tasks such as submissions, correspondence with editors or curators, and project planning are also part of my daily routine. While structured, my days allow flexibility, which is essential for creative and conceptual depth.
3. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?
My work explores themes of identity, displacement, environmental awareness, and the human relationship to space and systems. I am particularly interested in how invisible structures—social, environmental, or political—shape lived experience. Inspiration often comes from research, urban environments, and personal observations of how communities interact with space, memory, and power.
Rather than illustrating ideas literally, I aim to create visual metaphors that invite reflection and interpretation. My goal is to make complex subjects accessible without oversimplifying them, using visual language to bridge gaps between research, emotion, and public understanding.
4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
Art deeply influences how I approach thinking, learning, and communication. My practice encourages patience, critical observation, and interdisciplinary thinking, which extends into my academic and professional life. At the same time, maintaining an independent artistic practice requires discipline, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that shape how I manage long-term projects and collaborations.
Art is not separate from my life; it is a lens through which I engage with the world. It informs how I teach, research, and participate in cultural conversations.
5. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?
One of the main challenges I have faced is navigating the intersection of art and research within systems that often expect specialization rather than hybridity. As someone working between disciplines, I have had to continuously advocate for the value of interdisciplinary practice.
Additionally, sustaining an independent art career, especially as an immigrant artist, requires persistence in the face of uncertainty, limited resources, and competitive environments. I overcame these challenges by building a strong portfolio, seeking juried and peer-reviewed platforms, and grounding my work in both conceptual rigor and professional standards. Over time, consistency and independent recognition helped establish credibility and momentum.
6. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.
Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from seeing my work reach audiences beyond traditional art spaces, through publications, educational contexts, and public-facing platforms. Receiving recognition through juried awards and international exhibitions affirmed that research-informed visual work can resonate widely.
Being interviewed and having work featured by independent art publications was particularly rewarding, as it demonstrated that my work communicates effectively across cultural and geographic boundaries.
7. Share your worst experience in the art world.
Like many artists, I have experienced rejection and periods of invisibility. Submitting work repeatedly without response can be discouraging, especially early in one’s career. I have also encountered situations where artistic labor is undervalued or misunderstood.
These experiences taught me to be selective about opportunities, to value my work appropriately, and to focus on platforms aligned with my values rather than chasing visibility at any cost.
8. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?Develop your voice, but also develop your process. Consistency, documentation, and professionalism matter as much as creativity. Seek juried and independent platforms that offer meaningful evaluation, and don’t be discouraged by rejection—it is part of the process, not a verdict on your work.
Equally important is understanding why you make art. A clear sense of purpose sustains you during difficult periods and helps guide long-term growth.
9. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
The artist life can be solitary, especially during intensive creative periods. However, solitude does not have to mean isolation. Over time, I’ve found community through exhibitions, publications, academic spaces, and collaborative projects.
Meaningful connections often emerge through shared values rather than constant proximity. Learning to balance solitude with engagement is part of sustaining a creative life.
10. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?
Currently, I am developing new bodies of work that continue to explore research-based visual storytelling, focusing on environmental and spatial themes. I am also participating in juried exhibitions and preparing work for upcoming publications and academic presentations.
In parallel, I am expanding my long-term goal of creating scalable visual education frameworks that bridge research, art, and public access.
Portfolio Website: https://mahshidgorjian.artstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahshidg68
