Naz Riahi

California
Interdisciplinary
Artist in Residence, 2025
↗ nazriahi.com

Artist Statement

I’m an interdisciplinary artist whose work is grounded in writing. My inquiry-based practice encompasses creative writing, filmmaking, video, installation and performance. Two central themes of my work are an exploration of the cost of assimilation with a focus on language and immigration. I’m curious about the consequences of socially severing an origin and culture that lives within us and begins with the “mother-tongue.” Second, my practice explores the potentialities of isolation and otherness and a search for community. I’m interested in intimate access to the interiority of lives and emotions that may otherwise seem lonely, unfulfilled or unhappy. I approach these themes in my work with a slow sensitivity, employing a sparse and lyrical style that avoids sensationalizing (and reinforcing) my subjects’ otherness.

My work seeks to counter conventional biographical storytelling — an intentional and important risk — shunning sleekness or major dramatic events, while exploring the latent complexities and contradictions of seemingly simple characters in seemingly ordinary scenarios. In my process, I begin with a question and experiment liberally to generate material, but ultimately work with minimalism as a guiding principle, stripping ideas and expressions down to their most reduced form.

While at Headlands

I will be deepening my practice through meditation walks and working on ongoing projects including the second draft of my novel, Against the Grid, as well as research for an experimental essay documentary.