GOLNAZ MAHMOUDI
About Me
My name is Golnaz Mahmoudi and I was born on May 23th, 1990 in East Iran. As far as I can recall, art has been my greatest passion. From childhood, I imagined objects and spaces as living characters, a habit that naturally grew into my love for imagination and world-building.
Today, I work as an illustrator and graphic designer, combining my background in graphics, ceramics, and handcrafted work to create cross-disciplinary, multisensory experiences. My approach is deeply human-centered — I aim to design stories, visuals, and interactive spaces where people can connect, participate, and feel personally immersed.
Forgotten girl
I created these illustrations for my personal page, as a reminder of the time I used to work as an illustrator. I also wrote the story myself.
Years ago, in the rush and chaos of a family trip, a little girl was accidentally left behind at home. Tragically, her family never returned, as they were killed in a devastating car accident along the way. Heartbroken and left all alone, the girl found the world to be a harsh and unbearable place. In her sorrow, she wished she didn’t exist.
One day, in the heavy silence of her solitude in the yard, she heard the faint buzz of a beetle. But this wasn’t an ordinary beetle—it was a magician disguised as an insect. Sensing her grief, the magician decided to grant her wish, but in an unexpected way. Through invisible magic, the girl was transformed into a tiny being, small enough to connect with the birds, plants, and little creatures in the yard, giving her a chance to escape her loneliness.
In her new form, she slowly learned the language of nature. Birds became her companions, and the yard turned into her sanctuary. Her lifespan extended far beyond that of a normal human, and she lived on as a small, kind-hearted gardener in the yard.
Years passed, and the forgotten girl was no longer the sad, lost child she had once been. She became the heart of the garden, a guardian whose presence kept the yard alive and vibrant.
Her story is a reminder of the healing power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable loss.
The yellow within me
This series is part of my personal illustrations, rediscovered in my old sketchbooks. It carries the essence of my teenage years, capturing a wide range of emotions I experienced during that time. I can vividly remember how creating these illustrations helped me process my feelings and find a sense of balance. They weren’t just drawings—they were my way of understanding myself and navigating the challenges of growing up.
Earth Meets Sea
This collection of ceramic jars, titled Earth Meets Sea, reflects my deep concern for domestic animals and wildlife. Through these works, I have sought to highlight the natural habitats of living creatures and to underscore the bitter reality that their living spaces, both on land and in the sea, are shrinking day by day.
The colors used in this collection are inspired by nature—the hues of sand and sea—representing not only the beauty of the natural world but also serving as a reminder of our responsibility to protect these spaces.Each jar lid, with its unique design, tells a story: a dachshund, a polar bear, and a bear riding a boat. These figures symbolize more than just specific animals; they narrate tales of survival and struggle in a world increasingly affected by destructive changes.
This collection is an invitation to reflect on our role in shaping the environment and how we can, through our actions, make the earth and sea safer and more vibrant places for all living beings.
A Soul Reborn
I have hidden inside a sea shell
but forgotten in which.
Now daily I dive,
filtering the sea through my fingers,
to find myself.
Sometimes I think
a giant fish has swallowed me.
Looking for it everywhere I want to make sure
it will get me completely.
The sea-bed attracts me, and
I’m repelled by millions
of sea shells that all look alike.
Help, I am one of them.
If only I knew, which.
How often I’ve gone straight up
to one of them, saying: That’s me.
Only, when I prised it open
it was empty.
“The Sea Shell” from Selected Poems by Marin Sorescu
The poem “The Sea Shell” beautifully resonates with the essence of A Soul Reborn. It speaks to the journey of self-discovery and the search for identity, which mirrors the core of my collection. The idea of being hidden inside something—without knowing exactly where—serves as a powerful metaphor for that feeling of being lost or disconnected, only to realize that the search itself is an integral part of finding completeness.
Just like my marionette-inspired sculptures, this poem reflects movement, transformation, and the quest for one’s true self. The fluidity of the sea, the sea shell, and the fish that may or may not have swallowed the speaker echo the dynamic qualities of my pieces. They invite the viewer to explore and find meaning in the space between creation and perception.
Other Ceramic Works
Green Building
In this motion graphics project, I started by exploring the diamond shape as the core form. I looked for architectural and organic objects that could visually transform into diamond-like motifs. As I experimented with these selected forms, the idea of blending modern life with nature naturally emerged. I also wanted to highlight essential natural elements such as wind, water, and light throughout the visuals.
Since the project was commissioned for an environmental topic, it immediately became an engaging and meaningful assignment for me. This video was later used as the teaser for the National Conference on Green Building at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
Contact
golnazmahmoudi34@gmail.com
+98 937 254 0018