“For me, it’s representing my new identity here. I’m looking for that…It looks like the same pattern, but it’s not. It’s transforming, it’s changing. It’s kinda like me. Just like me.”
Azin Yousefiani, a fiber artist from Kurdistan in Iran, now studies and resides in Atlanta, GA. Drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns of Kurdish fabric and their immigrant experience, Azin employs printmaking, papermaking, textiles, and mixed media to manipulate and recreate paper patterns. Their work explores the complexities of a transformed identity, with each piece becoming a tapestry of memory that delves into the paradoxes of self-discovery.
Their process starts with blending paper pulp, which is then pressed into cutout foam patterns. Each mold subtly alters the pulp and ink, resulting in unique variations with each one. “The papers are not exactly [the] same in terms of color, in terms of even form, but they are inspired by the same pattern. . . .Originally it was just like one shape, one pattern. I work with a lot of patterns. This is a way that I represent my identity as an immigrant here.” These prints will be integral to a large-scale papermaking project, combining traditional techniques with contemporary narratives to create unique artist books that capture the essence of their evolving identity and transformation over time.
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You can follow along with Azin’s journey on Instagram: @azin_yousefiani or visit their website at www.azinyousefiani.ir .