Artist Bio
Mahsa Attaran is a multidisciplinary artist and educator from Shiraz, Iran, specializing in photography. Her practice seamlessly blends conceptual fine art with commercial photography, drawing on a decade of experience across diverse creative fields.
Mahsa earned her B.S. in Anesthesiology from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences as a distinguished graduate, where she first discovered her passion for photography and taught herself the craft. She later established her own cozy, creative studio, Teamcheh, in Shiraz, where she shared her knowledge with aspiring photographers. When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, Mahsa decided to broaden her vision and pursue photography academically.
She began her graduate studies at the University of North Dakota before transferring to the University of Connecticut, where she will graduate in May 2025 with an MFA in Studio Arts, concentrating in photography.
Mahsa collaborates with brands and businesses across various industries, including fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and food, offering product photography and retouching services that reflect each client's vision. Her approach prioritizes careful attention to detail and a genuine understanding of the story behind each project.
Her work has been featured in publications such as Hyperallergic and exhibited at Dumbo Open Studios in Brooklyn, Windsor Art Center, Iranian Artists Forum, and the Iranian Art Museum. She has also received recognition from industry leaders, including the Vogue Talent Competition.
Grounded in themes of culture, identity, and societal narratives, Mahsa's practice bridges personal exploration with client-driven projects, seeking to create images that resonate with authenticity and purpose.
Mahsa Attaran is a multidisciplinary artist and educator from Shiraz, Iran, specializing in photography. Her practice seamlessly blends conceptual fine art with commercial photography, drawing on a decade of experience across diverse creative fields.
Mahsa earned her B.S. in Anesthesiology from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences as a distinguished graduate, where she first discovered her passion for photography and taught herself the craft. She later established her own cozy, creative studio, Teamcheh, in Shiraz, where she shared her knowledge with aspiring photographers. When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, Mahsa decided to broaden her vision and pursue photography academically.
She began her graduate studies at the University of North Dakota before transferring to the University of Connecticut, where she will graduate in May 2025 with an MFA in Studio Arts, concentrating in photography.
Mahsa collaborates with brands and businesses across various industries, including fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and food, offering product photography and retouching services that reflect each client's vision. Her approach prioritizes careful attention to detail and a genuine understanding of the story behind each project.
Her work has been featured in publications such as Hyperallergic and exhibited at Dumbo Open Studios in Brooklyn, Windsor Art Center, Iranian Artists Forum, and the Iranian Art Museum. She has also received recognition from industry leaders, including the Vogue Talent Competition.
Grounded in themes of culture, identity, and societal narratives, Mahsa's practice bridges personal exploration with client-driven projects, seeking to create images that resonate with authenticity and purpose.
Artist statement
Rooted in a deep love for heritage and family, my interdisciplinary practice is shaped by distance from Iran. Since leaving, my appreciation has heightened for everyday moments — the scent of home-cooked meals by maman, my baba’s hands, and my studio, TeamCheh, which we built as a family. This separation has deepened my responsibility toward my homeland, which has sharpened since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising. My work celebrates culture while critiquing patriarchal systems, situating criticism as an act of care. I believe in art’s power to confront injustice, cultivate empathy, and challenge cultural silences while highlighting resilience and beauty. Inspiring even one person to question injustice is a step toward meaningful change.
Rooted in a deep love for heritage and family, my interdisciplinary practice is shaped by distance from Iran. Since leaving, my appreciation has heightened for everyday moments — the scent of home-cooked meals by maman, my baba’s hands, and my studio, TeamCheh, which we built as a family. This separation has deepened my responsibility toward my homeland, which has sharpened since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising. My work celebrates culture while critiquing patriarchal systems, situating criticism as an act of care. I believe in art’s power to confront injustice, cultivate empathy, and challenge cultural silences while highlighting resilience and beauty. Inspiring even one person to question injustice is a step toward meaningful change.
CV
Education
Education
MFA Candidate in Studio Arts
University of Connecticut, 2025
GPA: 3.96/4
University of Connecticut, 2025
GPA: 3.96/4
B.Sc. in Anesthesia
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 2012-2016
Honors Program - Dean’s List
GPA: 3.88/4
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 2012-2016
Honors Program - Dean’s List
GPA: 3.88/4
Exhibitions
Big Top, Two Coats of Paint Project Space, Dumbo Open Studios, New York City, New York, USA, 2024.
Partial Company, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Groton, Connecticut, USA, 2024.
UN-ART, Hartford Art Space Gallery, Hartford, CT, USA, 2024.
Unveiled Silence, Two-Person Exhibition and Artist Talk, Windsor Art Center, Windsor, Connecticut, USA, 2024.
Group Exhibition, Kinesiology Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Untold, Arena Gallery, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Deeply Rooted, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Groton, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Poem Unlimited, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Groton, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Raid the Archive, Edwin Way Teale and New Works, Benton Museum of Art, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Together Again on the Ramp, Arena Gallery, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2022.
Graduate Exhibition, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
10 Days with Iranian Photographers, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran, 2018.
Parastar Photo Festival (FIAP), Finalist, Exhibition, Ardabil, Iran, 2018.
Sayeh Roshan, Group Exhibition, Tehran, Iran, 2017.
Tasvir-e-Sal Photo Festival, Group Exhibition, Iranian Art Museum, Tehran, Iran, 2016-2017.
Big Top, Two Coats of Paint Project Space, Dumbo Open Studios, New York City, New York, USA, 2024.
Partial Company, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Groton, Connecticut, USA, 2024.
UN-ART, Hartford Art Space Gallery, Hartford, CT, USA, 2024.
Unveiled Silence, Two-Person Exhibition and Artist Talk, Windsor Art Center, Windsor, Connecticut, USA, 2024.
Group Exhibition, Kinesiology Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Untold, Arena Gallery, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Deeply Rooted, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Groton, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Poem Unlimited, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Groton, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Raid the Archive, Edwin Way Teale and New Works, Benton Museum of Art, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2023.
Together Again on the Ramp, Arena Gallery, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2022.
Graduate Exhibition, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
10 Days with Iranian Photographers, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran, 2018.
Parastar Photo Festival (FIAP), Finalist, Exhibition, Ardabil, Iran, 2018.
Sayeh Roshan, Group Exhibition, Tehran, Iran, 2017.
Tasvir-e-Sal Photo Festival, Group Exhibition, Iranian Art Museum, Tehran, Iran, 2016-2017.
Curatorial Projects
Raid the Archive: Edwin Way Teale and New Works, co-curator, Benton Museum of Art, Storrs, CT, USA, 2023.
Guerrilla Girls Exhibition, The Art of Behaving Badly, co-curator and installer, University of North Dakota Art Collections, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
Raid the Archive: Edwin Way Teale and New Works, co-curator, Benton Museum of Art, Storrs, CT, USA, 2023.
Guerrilla Girls Exhibition, The Art of Behaving Badly, co-curator and installer, University of North Dakota Art Collections, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
Publications
Featured Artist, Hyperallergic, Online Art Publication, 2024.
Hamlet, art, and "Poem Unlimited," Two Coats of Paint, 2023.
"Guerrilla Girls Art Exhibit is Witty, Eye-Opening," Interview, UND Today, University of North Dakota, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
Finalist, Parastar Photo Festival (FIAP), FIAP Artbook, Ardabil, Iran, 2018.
Cover Photographer, Shahrvand and Iran Newspapers, Featured Work on the Cover, Prominent Iranian Publications, 2016-2017.
Featured Artist, Hyperallergic, Online Art Publication, 2024.
Hamlet, art, and "Poem Unlimited," Two Coats of Paint, 2023.
"Guerrilla Girls Art Exhibit is Witty, Eye-Opening," Interview, UND Today, University of North Dakota, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
Finalist, Parastar Photo Festival (FIAP), FIAP Artbook, Ardabil, Iran, 2018.
Cover Photographer, Shahrvand and Iran Newspapers, Featured Work on the Cover, Prominent Iranian Publications, 2016-2017.
Honors | Awards
Second Place, Vogue Talent Competition, in collaboration with Domus Academy Milano, Italy, 2021.
Third Place, Vogue Talent Competition, in collaboration with Domus Academy Milano, Italy, 2020.
Recognition, HIPAAE International Photography Competition, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards, Dubai, UAE, 2019.
Accepted, Two Photographs, Khayyam International Photography (FIAP), Iran, 2015.
79th Dead-end Photo Series, Directed and Photographed, Multiple Awards, Group Exhibitions and Publications, Iran, 2014.
Second Place, Vogue Talent Competition, in collaboration with Domus Academy Milano, Italy, 2021.
Third Place, Vogue Talent Competition, in collaboration with Domus Academy Milano, Italy, 2020.
Recognition, HIPAAE International Photography Competition, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards, Dubai, UAE, 2019.
Accepted, Two Photographs, Khayyam International Photography (FIAP), Iran, 2015.
79th Dead-end Photo Series, Directed and Photographed, Multiple Awards, Group Exhibitions and Publications, Iran, 2014.
Teaching Experience
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut, Fall, 2024.
Instructor of Photography, Enrichment Summer Program, Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, Connecticut, USA,2024.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut, Spring, 2024.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut, Fall, 2023.
Introduction to Video Art, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut, Spring, 2023.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut, Fall, 2022.
Photography Workshops and Classes, Independent Educator, various locations globally. Successfully taught over 460 students foundational and advanced photography techniques, including composition, lighting, and DSLR camera operations, 2016-2021.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut, Fall, 2024.
Instructor of Photography, Enrichment Summer Program, Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, Connecticut, USA,2024.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut, Spring, 2024.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Instructor of Record, University of Connecticut, Fall, 2023.
Introduction to Video Art, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut, Spring, 2023.
Basic Studio Photography (Digital), Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut, Fall, 2022.
Photography Workshops and Classes, Independent Educator, various locations globally. Successfully taught over 460 students foundational and advanced photography techniques, including composition, lighting, and DSLR camera operations, 2016-2021.
Guest Speakers | Lectures
Unveiled Silence, Proposed Two-Person Exhibition and Artist Talk, Windsor Art Center, Windsor, Connecticut, USA, 2024.
Artist Talk, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2024.
Other Work Experiences
Graduate Assistant, Middle Eastern Cultural Programs, led and coordinated cultural programs, successfully organizing events that engaged over 200 attendees and fostered community connections and cultural awareness, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, 2022-2024.
Graduate Research Assistant, University of North Dakota’s Art Collections, supported research initiatives and contributed to the management of art collections, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA, 2022.
Photography instructor, workshops and courses on composition, staging, post-processing, and lighting for industrial and commercial photography, engaging over 400 participants both online and in-person, including international students, 2016-2021.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Abdollahian Copper Company (Bentwood Art Company), British Columbia, Canada – Tehran, Iran, 2020.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Roymano plant-based products, Tehran, Iran, 2020.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Tandis Trading Center, Shiraz, Iran, 2019.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Rosha Café, Shiraz, Iran, 2019.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Erfan Shoes and Bags, Shiraz, Iran, 2018.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Taradis Fine Jewelry Gallery, Shiraz, Iran, 2017.
Fine Art commercial photographer and art director, Labanika Dairy, Shiraz, Iran, 2016.
Surgical procedures photographer, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, 2013-2016.
Documentary photographer, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, 2013.