Mohamad Rajaei
Tehran, Iran
Social Media
Instagram
How would you describe your work?
My work explores the space between memory, dreams, and identity through surreal collage. By combining found images and unexpected visual relationships, I create narratives that invite viewers to question what is familiar and discover new meanings. I enjoy balancing beauty with a quiet sense of unease, allowing each piece to remain open to interpretation.
What inspires you?
I find inspiration in literature, cinema, psychology, forgotten photographs, vintage magazines, and everyday moments that carry emotional weight. I'm especially interested in the tension between reality and imagination, and how memories change over time. The works of David Lynch and Hannah Höch have had a lasting influence on the way I think about image-making.
Can you speak about your process?
My process usually begins with collecting printed materials, old magazines, books, and photographs. I spend time searching for visual connections before making the first cut. Rather than planning every detail, I allow intuition to guide the composition. Each collage evolves through experimentation until the separate fragments feel like they belong to the same dream.
How did you become interested in art?
I've always been drawn to visual storytelling, but collage became the medium that felt most natural to me. It gave me a way to transform ordinary, discarded images into something unexpected and emotionally resonant. Over time, collage became not only an artistic practice but also a way of understanding and expressing my inner world.
Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books, or quotes?
Some of my favorite artists include Hannah Höch, Max Ernst, and René Magritte. I admire the works of David Lynch for their dreamlike atmosphere and psychological depth. In literature, I often return to John Donne's poetry for its richness and complexity.
What advice do you have for younger artists?
Don't be afraid to make work that feels personal or unconventional. Develop your own visual language instead of chasing trends. Stay curious, experiment often, and trust that consistency matters more than perfection.
Any more thoughts about art, creativity, or anything else you would like to share?
I believe art creates conversations that words alone cannot. Every collage is an invitation for viewers to bring their own memories and interpretations into the work. Once a piece shares with others
