Self Portrait
By Ayla Hashemi
Artist Bio
Ayla Hashemi is an artist whose passion for painting began in childhood, spending every free moment exploring different techniques. In 2013, she pursued her studies in painting at Central Tehran Branch University, and after graduating, she enrolled in a Digital Photography course at Tehran Institute of Technology in 2015. It was there that she discovered her true passion lay in photography, sparking a new creative path.
 
 Since then, Ayla has been featured in numerous photography contests from 2015 to 2024. Her work centres on personal projects, with a focus on conceptual photography, portraits, and animal photography.
Artist Statement / Description of artwork
Sometimes I feel I know who I am, and sometimes I feel like a stranger to myself. After taking a photo of myself, I decided to create a hole in my portrait to symbolize openness to change and growth. Just as a blank canvas awaits an artist's touch, I leave room for transformation, acknowledging that our self-perceptions are ever-evolving.