As a SWANA woman in the United States, my art reflects my experiences and comments on sociopolitical issues. Through diverse forms and materials, I explore the struggles related to my cultural identity in my new home. Using cast iron, plastic, fabric, ceramic, light, and shadow, I address women's rights violations in Iran, including mandatory hijab, and the recent “Woman Life Freedom” movement. Text plays a vital role, paying homage to critical commentary hidden within Persian poetry and visual arts. I transform politically charged writings like news articles, propaganda, and feminist poetry into patterns using Persian calligraphy's flowing curves. Despite Western associations of Persian text with fear and terror, these patterns boldly confront viewers. My work creates a personal space for sharing my journey and challenges the perception of my cultural identity.

Kiana Honarmand is an Iranian-born artist whose work delves into the complexities of her cultural identity, the violation of women's rights in Iran, censorship, and the Western perception of the SWANA identity. In 2012 she moved to the United States to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at Penn State University. Currently working in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kiana's work has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post, Hyperallergic, and Voice of America. Kiana’s art has been exhibited in numerous venues both nationally and internationally. These include the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA; NUMU New Museum, Los Gatos, CA; VisArts, Rockville, MD; HAMZIANPOUR & KIA, Los Angeles, CA; Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA; Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL; Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose, CA; Metal Museum, Memphis, TN; San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, CA; Lite-Haus Galerie, Berlin; and many others.

As an Arab American, born in Lebanon, and forced by war to flee my own country, I began documenting the uprisings and revolutions that began in 2010, shortly after my first trip back to the region thirty-five years later. These revolutions known as the “Arab Spring,” have devolved into the current war in Syria and instability in the surrounding countries. However, as time has gone on, I have widened my focus to include the migrant crisis on our own Southern border, the wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Niger, Ethiopia, Palestine and the recent unrest in Haiti.

The problems of displacement and inability to return to their countries of origin, continue to face millions. With host countries unable or unwilling to support them with long-term solutions, many find themselves in untenable situations, facing violence, hunger, inadequate medical assistance and lack of access to education and jobs, forcing many to continue leaving in search of safety and security for themselves and their families. Ultimately, my work is about creating empathy, and reflecting on our shared humanity.

Helen Zughaib was born in Beirut, Lebanon, living in the Middle East and Europe before coming to study at Syracuse University, earning her BFA from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Her paintings are in public collections, including the White House, World Bank, Library of Congress, US Consulate in Vancouver, American Embassy in Iraq, Arab American National Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Barjeel Art Foundation and DC Art Bank. She received the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship award each year since 2015. Her work has been in Art in Embassy exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Nicaragua, Mauritius, Iraq, Belgium, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Sweden. She served as Cultural Envoy to Palestine, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. Her paintings have been gifted to heads of state by President Obama and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The John F. Kennedy Center/REACH, selected Helen for the 2021-2024 Inaugural Social Impact Practice residency.