Taraneh Mozafarian As a child growing up in Tehran, Iran, Taraneh Mozafarian dreamed of becoming a famous artist. Although she had numerous interests in different fields, art was the strongest aspect of her life from which she could never seem to part. Following her graduation in Sociology, she moved to Los Angeles to continue her education, where she continues to reside. She obtained her Master's Degree in Business Administration and later responding to the call of her real love, she spent eight years attending several colleges to study art.
Taraneh's works are constantly evolving, exhibiting a proficiency in a variety of mediums and styles. Her versatility ranges from abstract expressionism to surrealism as well as decorative art, yet her style is distinctive and united through recurring themes, such as historical symbolism, serenity, and the mystery of abstraction. Through the use of the elements of depth and dimension, she creates multi-leveled views of reality. Her inspired paintings are creative with a strong composition, yet feminine and gracefully balanced. Her art is a true expression of her feelings and emotions. Taraneh Mozafarian's works emanate from her inner voice. These messages come forth in the form of questions rather than answers, reflecting her journey to find the meaning of life. Her works have an undertone of symbolism, blending spiritual sensitivity and Western abstraction, often with a suggestion of historical mystery.
In her latest works Taraneh has come full circle, returning to her inner self, at peace with herself and the world as if it does not matter what the answer is. With the acceptance of the mystery she has come to see the further unfolding of her life and that of the world. She feels as she creates these pieces, she is polishing her soul. Reflecting this positive energy, she is continually evolving toward a richer and purer esthetic. Descending from a rich Persian cultural heritage, including a family of jewelers, Taraneh views her works as gems, which resonate with a history of crafts, such as gold and copper smithing, as well as rug weaving and quilting. These influences are clearly present in her copper series. Working with copper mixed media, Taraneh finds the metal full of surprises and not easy to control. "When I work with copper I feel like I am working with a living substance. The metal while being a cool material has warm vibrant colors. I feel like the copper is alive and has its own intelligence. I allow the piece to guide me, yet the final image reflects the material’s innate qualities, as well as my thoughts and feelings". A graceful balance, a great sense of pattern and a meticulous attention to detail characterizes each of her sublime works.