Meet Souren Zahra Mousavi | International Artist, Art Therapist & Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Souren Zahra Mousavi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Souren Zahra, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The majority of people have jobs or have had jobs that involve other people on a daily basis. Like them or not those other people provide constant feedback, they give some positive and negative re-enforcement about who you are and what you do and, if nothing else, they give a regular opportunity for dialogue – a chance to discuss the work, or the sport, or the boss. A creative artist like me spends days, sometime weeks, in a process that is predominantly introspective. It can be a very lonely life and one that is heavily dependent on self-motivation and self-belief. True art requires an artist to reflect and expose some of their innermost feelings and then you have to wait to see if that self-expression brings accolades or just derision from passers-by who, with a few words, can boost your ego or destroy your confidence. It’s not just about talent. It’s about resilience, resolve, self-reliance and an abundance of positive energy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think I have always been a warrior. In my younger years I battled oppression and censorship taking on an authoritarian regime that endangered my life on more than one occasion. Because of my strong feminist views and my determination to resist persecution I was forced to flee my homeland and pursue my dreams elsewhere. The struggles that I faced in my early years could be kindly described as character forming but, in truth, they almost broke me. Art has always been my saviour. Not surprisingly some of the things that set me apart from other artists are my life experiences and my Persian heritage. First and foremost, I am a professionally qualified artist specialising in Expressionism. My artistic skills also allow me work as an art teacher, having been classically trained, as a graphic designer and as a yoga and art therapist, working with private clients as well as supporting a not-for-profit agency that works with recovering addicts and young offenders. The important thing for me with everything I do is that it is not only self-fulfilling, but it also gives back to a society that now embraces and supports me.
I have been featured by Reuters, the Sunday Times and the BBC and I was short listed out of over 2800 entries for the prestigious John Moore Prize in 2010. I have won several international awards including a Female Artist Lifetime Achievement Award all of which are testimony to my skills.
I am renowned for my watercolors, respected for my oils and my love of nature is often reflected in my work. Collectors from around the world have sought originals of my horses and my butterfly series and, though it is sometimes a struggle, I could never give up my life as an artist.

Many people have told me that my faith in humanity, despite all that has been done to try and break me, is inspiring. I am proud of the fact that, despite the efforts of some to oppress and reject my work and beliefs, I have continued to direct all my energy to creations of joy, inspiration and hope. I am a warrior fighting for freedom of expression and right of recognition for all, regardless of race, sex or religion. My art is my shield, my strength and my voice and I hope everyone will listen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It’s always hard to pick out a few specific places when Miami has such a huge choice and the surrounding areas encompass memorable beaches, easily accessible boating opportunities and is only a short drive from the wildlife and vegetation of the Everglades. That said I have a few local venues that I always favor when it comes to rejuvenation, recreation and celebration.
I would start with an enjoying the vibrancy and holistic benefits of Palapa in Upper Buena Vista. It is a place to experience healthy street food combined with fine dining, exotic cocktails and healthy juices. It’s large enough to feel free and intimate enough to feel loved – it’s my place of choice for anyone with an artistic nature.

For a local day out, I would head to Key Biscayne. As well as the iconic lighthouse, which is on Cape Florida, there are miles of walks along the beach or through the mangrove wetlands, nature trails, bike paths, shoreline fishing and the opportunities for amateur or professional ornithologists. It a haven for nature only 15 mins drive form the city.

Finally for the special night out I would probably still choose Amara at Paraiso, a Latin seafood restaurant overlooking Biscayne Bay with an indoor-outdoor dining facility with deck seating also available on the waterfront. It encapsulates the vibrancy and cultural mix that is Miami. It also serves a mean breakfast.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So, one of the things in life that most of us find fulfilling is seeing first-hand how what we do can improve life for others. For an artist this type of reward is normally felt at a distance. We hope that what we create touches others, and we are always delighted when someone buys our work. But once the piece is taken away, we lose any on-going benefit. That’s why I’m giving my shout out to someone and something that has only recently come into my life. Last year Ed McGowan, CEO of Concept Health Systems, gave me the opportunity to join and support the work of their not-for-profit organisation. They are a community-based agency located in the Design District of Miami and their mission is to provide evidenced based residential and outpatient behavioral health treatment services, including prevention and intervention. They provide a culturally appropriate, multi-dimensional continuing care model to assist individuals and families identify and manage behaviors that are detrimental to the well­ being of themselves, their families and their communities. It is rated as one of the top treatment programs in South Florida when it comes to assisting clients to remain drug free, successfully employed and productive members of the community. I was invited to create and run a recreation and art therapy programme for them which has proven hugely beneficial not only to those who attend but also to me. If you Google my name, as well as finding my website, you will find many references to articles and interviews that talk about how I suffered for my art, how I was imprisoned and tortured and how my artwork and my story resulted in my winning a Lifetime Achievement award. Some people would never have survived what I endured. In truth they almost killed me.
I often tell people that art saved my life, and it is literally true. I myself had to go through a long period of recovery after escaping from Iran and art was my most rewarding and healing therapy. As a result of my experiences, I have developed an interactive therapeutic programme which I know helps make a difference to those I work with. It is hugely rewarding, and it is thanks to Mr McGowan who saw that something really positive could be drawn from what I lived through. Of course, it helps when dealing with others to be able not only to emphasise with them but to exemplify what is possible despite what life might throw at you and, at least for a few of them, art can help save them.

Website: www.sourenmousavi.co.uk sourenzmousavi.com

Instagram: @sourenmousavi

Linkedin: Z Souren Mousavi

Twitter: @sourenmousavi

Facebook: S Mousavi Art

Image Credits
Self portratits Photography by Jules Conley and the rest random photographer…