Artwork By Marissa Zarrabzadeh

These works are my way of understanding, healing, and resisting. They are specific to my experiences, understandings, and interpretations of past trauma, nightmares, vivid dreams, insomnia, and anxiety. They have become my weapon and my strength.  

“How it Feels” – pen and ink on paper, 2015

A way of connecting with other artists (and non-artists, too) actively resisting through their work. For me that means a place to support and be supported, to not feel or be silenced, to listen and be heard.

“there you are”- pen and ink on vellum, 2015

I want to deconstruct all of the social expectations of what I should or shouldn’t be based on my body, and this is how I do that. Creating these works is the fire that gives me strength to push forward.

“memorize me, mesmerize me”- pen and ink, graphite on paper, 2017

this place
forms a memory
in a dream
of an echo and a shadow
crawling towards the sea
memorize me
mesmerize me
memorize me
mesmerize me
memorize me
mesmerize me

“turmeric and honey drips”- pen and ink, turmeric, colored pencil, 2016