Jackie Soraya Bio

It was a singular, tragic moment that sparked my artistic journey: when I learned that 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was killed in Iran for not wearing a headscarf. As a second-generation Iranian American and the mother of two daughters, this news struck a chord within me, sparking a period of deep reflection that fueled my creative fire. Driven by a desire to reconnect with my feminine Persian roots, I sought inspiration in the vivid imagery and distinctive styles of the Qajar Dynasty, a time celebrated for its fashion renaissance in Iran. This exploration led to the birth of my inaugural series of paintings, "Divine Feminine: Persian Magic," an homage to the enduring spirit and beauty of Persian women. 

Since then, the act of painting has become my sanctuary, a space where my emotions flow freely, and I am connected to something beyond the tangible—a timeless essence deeply embedded in my heritage and identity. My subsequent series have blossomed from this ongoing journey, steered by personal history and sacred symbols. As I explore the vast depths of the human experience, I gently unravel the tapestry of connections that weaves us all together.