Meet Narges Rezaian

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Narges Rezaian . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Narges, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I am a woman raised in a system with strict rules about women’s appearance and body, I was always extremely self-conscious about my body. However, this systematic oppression inversely initiated my fascination with the theme of the body, especially in cartoons where it could take any shape or form and never break, which led me to start my career in animation in character animation and design in 2005. So, my purpose is to use the unique resilience that comes with the animated body to show the potential for resistance and the possibility of positive change. Therefore, I strive to reclaim my body via artistic creation and advocate for women’s rights.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a female artist, my endeavours perpetually focus on sharing my lived experience as a source of critical thinking and artistic creation. So, I try to analyze and criticize the situations I face to help the society I am a part of to be a better place for everyone equally. As an immigrant, I faced different challenges in Canada. My latest project, Pilgrim, which won the best Experimental Moving Image in SIFA 2023 last November, is an autobiographical work narrating the physical and psychological difficulties an immigrant would face but also shows the potential for positive change and growth beyond any boundaries and limits.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think theoretical knowledge and artistic skills helped me tremendously in creating my artwork. However, the most significant would be constant communication with my surroundings and self-reflection. I would encourage other artists always to constantly connect to and analyze their environment and themselves to be able to find real-life issues to be addressed in their artwork that could be relatable to their audience. If the artist is close to themselves and their society they can connect and communicate better and become true activists pinpointing existing challenges.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My father has supported me and of course my amazing professors and fellow artist friends.

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