Shows

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Magician, to be in the March Open Exhibit 2026

“Magician” evokes a sense of wonder and transformation, perhaps hinting at the unseen forces at play in a magician’s craft. The central, almost mask-like form seems to be in a state of flux, emanating or receiving energies represented by the surrounding abstract elements. The composition features a curious blend of scientific-looking diagrams and fantastical organic growths, creating a tension between logic and intuition. It’s a painting that feels both ancient and futuristic, suggesting a world where anything is possible.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my paintings, Afterthought and Rider to be in the Little Winter Exhibit 2025

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Fortuneteller’s Room, to be in the March 2025 Open exhibit

Inspired by Henry Matisse, Joan Miró, and Andrea Bogdan, I switch between minimalist and more complex expressionist styles in my naive narratives. This painting is certainly more of a minimalist. Here, I am using thinly applied color fields and pearlescent paint to enhance the playfulness of the interior, where the fortune-teller is channeling yet another narrative from a different time depicted by a crystal ball that is also a sand glass.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Confronted, to be in the January 2025 Open exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Déjà vu, to be in the November 2024 Open exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Maximo, to be in the “Wit and Whimsy” exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Solitary Thoughts, to be in the August 2024 Open Exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Sonata, to be in the March 2024 Open Exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, 6 Senses, to be in the July 2023 Open Exhibit

My partner Abol Bahadori and I were among the first artist residents of the brand-new AIR Studios by Jen Tough Gallery in May 2023. Our open studio coincided with the grand opening of the gallery. This was a memorable experience working with other artists visiting from all around the US and meeting with local and traveling art lovers. Santa Fe, NM has a magical nature and atmosphere for creativity.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Mariela, to be in the March Open Exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Ascent, to be in the January 2023 Heart’s Desire Exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Routines, to be in the October 2022 Patterns Exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, White Peacock, September 2022 Open Exhibit

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, The Haste, to be in the August 2022 Open Exhibit.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The juror selected my painting, Orange Invasion, to be in the October 2021 Open Exhibit.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The White Sock 12×12″, acrylic on canvas—Best in Show Award Selected by the juror Catherine Haggarty

I depict my subjects from my dreams, imagination and distorted childhood memories. “The White Socks” has all the elements of Christmas from my childhood memories in my place of birth, the Amazonas region of Peru.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The Bird Witness 36×24″, acrylic on canvas—Selected by the juror Matthew T. McLaughlin

I am inspired by children’s art and try to keep my forms and colors as fresh and limitless as a child’s imagination. Witnessing horror and death while hanging to hope and happiness are what billions of kids in the world are doing. Innocent animals go through this too.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

Elena 24×36″, acrylic on canvas—Selected by the juror Antonio McAfee

Elena was my childhood imaginary friend who kept my company in my lonely moments. I have revived her personality and the ambiance of her presence in this painting.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

Pink Alien 24×48″, acrylic on canvas—Selected by the juror Julia Kwon

Other artists tell me that my process and imagery are too different and weird. I take that as a compliment. This one is one of the visionary type of imaginations that I don’t even know where it (or they) came from and I let it run wild through the viewers imagination. The alien symbolizes the unknown or the unpredictable factor of the narrative which can be a different story in each view and for each viewer.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The Profit 24×18″, acrylic on canvas—Selected by the juror Fanna Gebreyesus

This reflects the hypocrisy among our political and religious leaders. Not a religious person myself, I am yet fascinated by theology and biblical commands. I was shocked when I first read: “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”—Matthew 5:30. I am making light of that in this painting—an ancient profit who cut off his right hand. Location: somewhere in Egypt with the obelisk in the background, but it may as well be a modern urban setting, perhaps DC near the Washington Memorial.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

Robotic Souls 24×48″, acrylic on canvas—Selected by the juror Erika Harrsch

My imagination is triggered after I put the brush or pencil on the canvas or paper. “Robotic Souls” is a manifestation of our daily routines—we are all machines. Even our pleasures and sufferings are contained within hourly regiments. Everything is barred and segmented into fractions of minutes and hours—organic forms forced into geometrical patterns and repetitions while dark and cold come forward and the warm joy of life is pushed back.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA  | 703.683.2323 |  Google Maps

The Prayer 24×48″, acrylic on canvas—winner of Honorable Mention awarded by the juror Mark Strandquist

There are so many things happening around us that we cannot do much about, other than a payer. The isolated nun reflects my feelings about helplessness.