Woman, Life, Freedom: Iranian-American culinary and visual artist Parisa Parnian on tradition, activism, and community

Shahrazad Squad: In Conversation

Tradition is something we often talk about in the Squad...
In diaspora do we maintain it, change it, run from or celebrate it? What does it mean to be traditional when you’re uprooted?

Today’s guest, Parisa Parnian, addresses tradition in her work…but not in the way you think.

Parisa Parnian is an Iranian-American multi-disciplinary visual artist and culinary creative. She uses food, design and performative storytelling to build bridges and connect communities. This conversation is in two parts.

During part one our conversation, you’ll get the sense that Parisa has lived many lives - she was a fashion designer in New York, a hostess of creative salons and a queer activist, and an inventor of her own spice blend - Parisa’s creative life is full of color, community, and fluidity.

In part two, Parisa talks with host Raeshma about her approach to activism and community building in response to the #WomanLifeFreedom movement that is underway in Iran.
You can learn more about Parisa's work and purchase her art and her Perxican spice blend at savagemuse.com. Follow her on instagram @savagemuse and @savage_taste

The Shahrazad Squad is a community of MENASA/SWANASA womxn creatives, cultural producers and change-agents. Learn more about the Shahrazad Squad: shahrazadsquad.org
Check us out on Instagram: @shahrazad_squad

Interested in our conversation cards? You can purchase a deck of 60 beautifully designed conversation cards with prompts inspired by stories in the epic historic novel, ‘1001 Nights' for $25 here.
Great for small gatherings, dinner parties, ice breakers at team/work events and more!

You can request to become a member through the Mighty Networks platform: shahrazad-squad.mn.co
Thanks for listening! And remember... Stories + Sisterhood = Save the Kingdom