This collection reflects the emotions, dreams, thoughts, and circumstances of women who mostly face challenges with illnesses such as MS, Parkinson’s, cancer, mental illnesses, or dementia. Since 2018, I, known as “Lady Painter” (that’s how the ladies call me), have been working as an organizer and facilitator of art and play sessions at the Dignified Disabled Elderly Home in Tehran. All these paintings are a profound reflection of the psyche of women who spend each day with their illnesses and their limiting abilities, expressing their emotions, circumstances, dreams, and creativity hidden within through art, using various colors and artistic tools on paper during weekly sessions.

My experience working with this group over the years has enlightened me to the great need for care, both physical and especially psychological, among the elderly and vulnerable groups. It has also highlighted the significant lack of utilization of therapeutic methods such as art therapy in Iran, indicating a vast amount of work needed in this field. Engaging and spending time with this group has taught me that art, when embraced by both vulnerable individuals and approached with them as you would with any ordinary person, can serve as one of the best tools to assist these groups. It acts as one of the best communication bridges between different worlds and can be a light in darkness.