In southwest Iran, there are a few tribes that are thousands of years old.

Westernization was mushrooming everywhere as a sign of distinction, wealth, and intelligence.

During my childhood, a bath was not a part of most Iranian homes. Only the very rich had residential baths, but even many of those did not have warm water during winter.

No one was supposed to interact with the cook or the servants in the kitchen, but for me the traditional Persian kitchen in our home was the favorite hangout.

I was a tomboy and often had fights and disagreements with my brothers.

For a baby, nothing could be softer, warmer, and nicer than her mother’s chest.

My grandma was the one who threw big parties and shouldered the responsibility to celebrate all cultural and religious events.

The words “traditional Persian dining room” remind me of sitting around the sofreh (tablecloth spread on the floor) with the rest of my family.

A major conflict between my parents was over the frequent remodeling of the salooneh paziraie (the “sitting” room).

My dioramas mostly depict westernized and Persian lifestyles because I wanted to recreate what I was raised with.