Introduce Artist
Mona Gandomkar
@mona.gandomkar
Mona Gandomkar is an Iranian Graphic Designer and a member of the AIGA(American Institute of Graphic Arts). She is currently working toward her MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design at Florida Atlantic University.
Mona is passionate about working on women’s issues and raising awareness among women about self-awareness, which is serving as an essential tool that empowers them to navigate the complex challenges of societal expectations, personal relationships, and professional pursuits. By developing a deep understanding of individual values, strengths, and aspirations, women can confidently maintain their independence, challenge limiting norms, and carve out paths that resonate with their authentic selves. She strives to motivate women to explore their situations and actively engage with the visual narratives she presents.
Mona completed her bachelor’s degree in visual communication in Iran, and after a successful career in graphic design in her country, she relocated to the USA. She is now working to become part of the global art and design community. “As a woman designer immersed in my society, I am committed to promoting positive social change. I aim to raise awareness among women about the importance of understanding their self-awareness, which evolves over time and is shaped by experiences, personal growth, and shifts in society and culture,” Mona says.She is intrigued by exploring cross-disciplinary design by integrating sound, lighting, motion, and interactive design into her creative work. Typography plays a central role in her works and is a subtle yet impactful tool. It conveys messages that can evoke the viewer’s emotions and raise their awareness by artfully manipulating the visual aspects of written language. Her art emerges as she blends her cultural heritage with a global outlook.
Artwork
Hidden Voices (by Mona Gandomkar)
In the intricate tapestry of human existence, the pursuit of empowerment is a universal aspiration, and self-awareness emerges as a guiding thread in this intricate weave. Self-awareness, essential for personal growth, acts as a compass through the complex terrain of societal expectations, often burdened with limiting stereotypes for women. By recognizing and understanding these expectations, women can dismantle societal shackles, armed with the clarity and knowledge necessary to challenge stereotypes and contribute to a more inclusive society.
Within the complex interplay of societal norms and familial expectations, an unsettling narrative unfolds, frequently hidden beneath a veneer of societal approval. Societal expectations often prescribe a set of norms and stereotypes that, on the surface, may appear to be valuable components woven into the fabric of communities and families. However, for women, these seemingly harmless expectations often serve as disguised tools of censorship, impeding their ability to be authentic, pursue their aspirations, and express their emotions openly. This intricate interplay of societal norms, disguised as tradition and propriety, transforms into a suffocating force that obstructs women from embracing their true selves.
In project, Hidden Voices, artist chosen to portray a part of the stereotypes and societal pressures women encounter at different times. The norms may seem valuable at first glance, yet they reveal a different reality upon closer look. As a Middle Eastern woman who has lived through and felt these pressures, Artist able to connect with other women going through the same.
This project is a visual piece that begins with a ‘positive’ phrase that typically defines through family and society’s lens. This phrase forms the initial, surface-level image. However, behind this image, there’s more. Artist written down the less-heard sentences that echo these expectations, projected them on myself, and recorded them. Employ Artivive, an augmented reality platform, to engage my audience and create deeper connections with the work. This personal journey starts with perspective as a Middle Eastern woman. However, the project is on going aiming to include and reveal the layers of societal norms imposed on women from various cultures.
