FatemeRohani

Can you tell us about your journey into photography?

About the Artist — Fatemeh Rohani
Photography, for me, is a way of being present — a way to see the world more attentively and to touch the hidden layers of reality.When I photograph, I not only connect more deeply with my surroundings, but also find a space to express emotions that words often fail to capture.
Before entering the world of art, I studied and worked in electrical engineering for several years. Over time, I realized that what brings me closer to life is not formulas or logic, but an honest encounter with emotion and perception. That realization led me to photography — a space where I could experience the world rather than measure it.
In recent years, my work has evolved from observing urban life and human transformation to exploring more abstract concepts such as silence, absence, womanhood, grief, and death. This transition mirrors my inner journey — my lived experiences and my confrontation with the light and shadow of existence.
My images are both narrative and emotional. I aim to create worlds that draw the viewer in, awaken a memory, or touch a quiet wound.My projects are often concept-based, blending photography with text, storytelling, and photomontage — because, for me, the boundary between reality and imagination is fluid.
I draw inspiration from nature, poetry, and the profound gaze of other artists, yet I strive to create my own narrative — one that is deeply personal, sometimes ambiguous, yet universal enough to invite stillness and
I work with my camera, my notes, and my mind. I photograph in almost every emotional state, and these three accompany me through all of them.
About the Winning Photo
At first, the raw image is merely a visual record, but over time, meaning begins to surface from within it. An element that once felt insignificant may later carry emotional weight, and a composition that seemed purely formal may begin to reveal a hidden narrative. Our minds make choices in the moment of capture—even unconsciously—leaving behind an imprint that is not always immediately readable. Sometimes we need distance, or even a sleepless night, to return to an image and understand it anew.This photograph was born out of such a night: a dark, restless hour spent revisiting images from a recent trip. I tried to preserve the coldness and silence I felt in that moment by carefully shaping the gray tonalities and holding the atmosphere in place. The image, for me, exists somewhere between memory and shadow—a space where clarity dissolves into ambiguity.My only hope is that the viewer pauses before it, even briefly, and allows the quiet to settle. I wish for them to step into that dark area of the frame, to feel its uncertainty, and to let curiosity and imagination guide their experience. Photographs are not merely reflections; they are invitations to enter the subconscious. Sometimes the image knows what we were seeking long before we do.
About Vision and the Future
Photography holds a deeply personal place in my life. It is the space where I slow down, observe with greater sensitivity, and connect with the more fragile and invisible layers of the world around me. Through making images, I try to express inner states that often escape language—moments of silence, uncertainty, memory, and emotional resonance that form the quiet narrative beneath everyday life. My hope is that my photographs invite viewers to pause, to reflect, and to enter a space where their own memories and feelings can unfold.
When I learned that my photograph had been selected for an NIPA award, I felt a warm and humble sense of gratitude. The image was created from a very personal place, and knowing that it could speak to others reaffirmed for me that photography’s emotional language can travel far beyond the moment of its making. This recognition gave me both encouragement and a gentle reminder to continue trusting the intimate, intuitive parts of my artistic process.
I am currently developing projects that explore memory, silence, and the shifting line between reality and imagination. I am drawn to combining photography with text, storytelling, and experimental approaches—methods that allow me to weave together personal history with conceptual reflections. My long-term dream is to create a cohesive body of work that brings together archive, self-writing, and emotional documentation, forming an ongoing study of how images shape the landscape of our inner world.
Feedback for NIPA team
My experience with NIPA has been meaningful and inspiring. I appreciate the platform’s openness to diverse voices and its thoughtful approach to presenting artists’ work. In the future, I believe that opportunities for deeper dialogue—such as artist conversations, panels, or insights into the curatorial process—could create even richer connections and foster a stronger sense of community among participants.
Best regardsFateme Rohani