Today we’d like to introduce you to Haleh Mashian.
Hi Haleh, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Tehran, Iran. My father was a renowned architect and my mom was a homemaker. I had a relatively happy and normal childhood and was exposed to great design and architecture through my dad’s profession.
Unfortunately, after the Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979, my father was abducted by an Islamic fundamentalist. We were ransomed a lot of money to see him again but they never released him and up to this day, we still don’t know what happened to him.
At the time I was 14 years old and my life as I knew it came to an end. I lived in Iran for 7 more years after the oppressive and tyrannical Islamic government took over. I was arrested and harassed many times by the morality police because of not fully follow Islamic Hijab laws and regulations. Finally, in 1986 my younger brother and I decided to escape the country under a pseudo-name and passport. It was a dangerous journey and we managed to escape Iran through the Turkish border. We sought religious asylum in the US and since then we have been living an amazing life filled with opportunities and potential.
The reason I brought up this aspect of my life is to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and the pursuit of creativity for a meaningful life. Even though it has been many years since I left Iran, I still feel tremendous gratitude for the opportunity I was given in this country that I call home.
I have been painting for over 30 years and decided to open a Mash gallery about 4 years ago to create a platform that celebrates art, community, and creativity that are foundational for a fulfilling life for me. I have had the pleasure of showcasing over 300 artists at Mash and have hosted many striking exhibitions with hundreds of people attending. I take great pride and pleasure in knowing that I am bringing joy, beauty, and creativity to my community in Los Angeles while expressing my authentic self.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been an exhilarating pursuit knowing that I am doing what I want to do. To create art and to bring the like-minded creative community together in an uplifting and inspiring venue called MASH.
It has been challenging to carve out a place in the art scene as an artist and as a gallerist, People usually believe that you cannot be both for some reason. I understand that both pursuits take a tremendous amount of energy, dedication, and resources, and balancing the two can be challenging at times.
At times when I want to be in my studio creating, I have to deal with some unexpected and unpleasant daily business stuff that can take me out of my creative Zone.
I have learned to expand and live with no transition between the artistic and business side of things.
To treat it more like a dance of life, from one move to another, from one form to another without resistance.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mash Gallery. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I opened Mash gallery with the vision of sharing my creative sparks and that of other artists with our community in an exciting, inclusive, and happy environment. Art is for the sake of art and not as a commodity. In another word, I am a tastemaker, and being an artist myself, I tend to pick artists that are inspirational to me and expand my boundaries of visual, emotional, and spiritual context. I also include and invite other curators to contribute to the programming at Mash for more diversity.
What I am proud of brand-wise is that Mash is inclusive and maintains a high level of artistic standard in both selecting and exhibiting art while celebrating a hip, diverse, artsy, and loving community that keeps on attending every opening. It is a space where you see amazing art and basque in a highly energetic and loving environment.
At Mash, we offer many diverse works by established and emerging local, national, and international artists and cater to hi end collectors and interior designers.
What matters most to you? Why?
Evolvement and going into the unknown.
You can never stay the same. You either go forward or backward. I would like to live fully and explore different ways of doing things and constantly go into the unknown. One who is changing all the time is a constant, solid, and a blessing to the world,
To live in a state of wonder and expansiveness, and to live fearlessly, for me art is a big factor in achieving that.
If I practice going into the unknown often, I live a more exciting and meaningful life with little less fear of death.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mashgallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mash_gallery/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MashGalleryLA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChNw8Grkuw-XkdmykY7a2gw/videos
Image Credits
David Lee Photography and Getty Images
