Mahsa Attaran is an artist and educator focused on photography, with a multidisciplinary art practice that incorporates conceptual fine art and commercial photography. With over a decade of experience, Mahsa has taught over 460 students globally. Her fine art practice delves into themes of gender inequality, social justice, and cultural identity, often incorporating authentic Persian elements into her work. Her ongoing project, Unveiled Silence, is an ambitious multimedia initiative that aims to shed light on the prevalent struggles faced by women in Iran, offering a poignant critique of the inhumane regulations, deep-rooted stereotypes, and stifling cultural norms that perpetuate a climate of silence and invisibility. This project endeavors to dismantle oppressive narratives that consign women to a passive role and create a platform for open dialogue on the urgent need for gender equality.
On the commercial side, Mahsa has worked with numerous brands and businesses, producing high-quality product photography, and retouching services for clients in the fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and food industries.
Mahsa’s work has been featured on Hyperallergic and prominent exhibitions such as the Dumbo Open Studios in Brooklyn, Windsor Art Center, Iranian Artists Forum, Iranian Art Museum, etc. She has received recognition from industry leaders, including winning the Vogue Talent Competition. Her recent projects and upcoming exhibitions will be showcased in the News and Events section, where she continues to push boundaries in both fine art and commercial photography.
CV
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.