Aynaz Najafi

Aynaz Najafi (b. 1992, Iran) is an Iranian visual artist currently based in Rome, Italy. She holds a Master’s degree in the History of Ancient Iran, specializing in the influence of Manichaean miniatures on Iranian Islamic art. She studied Persian miniature painting under master Reza Mostajeran in Isfahan, developing a strong foundation in traditional techniques that continue to inform her contemporary practice.  

  Najafi has participated in numerous private exhibitions in Iran and collaborated with established galleries prior to relocating to Italy in 2022. She is currently continuing her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan and has exhibited her work in Switzerland, Milan, and Rome.  

  Her practice centers on the condition of women in Iran and the broader Middle East. Working from a feminist perspective, she critically examines patriarchal power structures and the intersection of politics and religion in shaping women’s lives in Iran.  

  Najafi’s paintings have consistently carried political and anti-religious undertones. Following her migration from Iran, her visual language evolved into a more direct, intense, and confrontational form. Making use of the freedom of expression available in Europe, she began producing explicitly political works. She has gained recognition for her radical artistic stance against the Islamic Republic, positioning her work as a form of visual resistance.