We Are Our Stories

Felt, Wool 12 × 24 in | 30.5 × 61 cm Unique work Includes a Certificate of Authenticity My piece adds a narrative layer to the figure of Acephale, a headless symbol of resistance and rebellion, representing bravery and a new kind of heroism—irrational, raw, and deeply emotional. This figure challenges the concept of the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, which embodies the ideal 'perfect' man, defined by rationality, symmetry, and control. In contrast, my female figure holds her severed hair in one hand and her burning heart in the other, standing among mountains formed from the same fibers as her hair. My work reflects on the historical act of cutting hair, traditionally symbolizing mourning and loss in Iranian literature and culture. In contemporary contexts, this act transforms from a gesture of grief into a powerful emblem of resilience, reclaiming identity and advocating for social justice through a communal act.