I am Katayoun Mixed Media Artist, was born in Tabriz city that woven with the colors and stories of centuries. I creative journey has taken me from earning a bachelor’s degree in Textile Design at Alzahra University in Tehran to exploring the rich traditions of Turkish craftsmanship through an M.A. in Traditional Handcrafts at Marmara University, and a D.F.A in Carpet and Kilim Textile Forms at Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul. My work draws upon the visual language of ethnic symbols found in traditional clothing and fabrics. Through research, travel, and deep cultural engagement across Iran, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and spain..., I uncover the meanings embedded in these motifs’ symbols of memory, identity, and heritage and reimagine them within my own Mixed media / textile art. Each piece I create is a dialogue between past and present, material and meaning, tradition and transformation.

Education

• D.F.A Fine Arts, Mimar Sinan University, Carpet and Kilim Textile Forms, Istanbul Türkiye, 2008  

• M.A Fine Arts, Traditional Turkish Handcraft, Marmara University, Istanbul Türkiye , 2001

• B.A Fine Arts, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran , Tehran Iran, 1991

• Healing Touch Program, Levels 1-4: Healing Touch Practitioner Apprentice (HTP-A), Oct 2017 – Dec 2018

Published Article-Books

• Translate of Pan-Turanizim, Nalbantyan Zarevand , Sarnesar Katayoun, Dogu Kutuphanesi, Istanbul, Türkiye 2011

• BLUE MOSQUE TURQUOİSE OF ISLAM, TORABİ TABATABAİ, S.C, SARNESAR, Katayoun, Mahdi Azadi, Tabriz, Iran 1999

• INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TURKISH RUG, SARNESAR, Katayoun, Tabriz Rug Motives, Ataturk Kultur Dil ve Tarih Yuksek Kurumu, Alanya, Türkiye, Nov- 2010

• Iranian Turkology SYMPOSIUM, SARNESAR, Katayoun, June 2010, Mamaghan Embroidery Technique, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye

• 3rd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON HISTORICAL PENINSULA, SARNESAR, Katayoun, Sep-2008, THE HEART OF ISTANBUL THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, Istanbul, Türkiye

www.eminonu.bel.tr

• 2nd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON EMINONU, SARNESAR, Katayoun, (Nov-2007), An Old Embassy: The Iranian Consulate in Eminonu, Istanbul, Türkiye

www.wadistanbul.com 

• INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ASIAN AND NORTH AFRICAN STUDIES, ICANAS 38, SARNESAR, Katayoun, Soysaldi, Sep- 2007, Aysen, A Comparison of Techniques and Similarities Between Designs and Weaving Methods Among Iranian Shahseven and Turkish Alachuvals, Ataturk Kultur Dil ve Tarih Yuksek Kurumu, Ankara, Türkiye

• THE 11th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ORIENTAL CARPETS, ICOC, SAR NESAR, Katayoun, The Vernus Appearing with Qayik Technique in Shahsevens, April -2007, Istanbul, Türkiye

www.turkishculturalfoundation.org 

• MILLET NEWS PAPER, Rahim Charkhi, SARNESAR, Katayoun, (Apr- 2006), No 1, Istanbul, Türkiye 

• 6th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON TURKISH CULTURE, SARNESAR, Katayoun 21-26 NOV 2005, Jajim Weaving Characteristic in Iran, Ataturk Kultur Dil ve Tarih Yuksek Kurumu, Ankara, Türkiye

• English Azerbaijani Visual Dictionary, 4 volumes, 2023 USA

    www.gorselsozluk.net 

Exhibition 

- Group Painting Exhibition: University of Tehran, Faculty of Fine Arts. January 1990

- Group Painting Exhibition: Maqbarat-ul-Shoara. Tabriz, December 1992 (First Prize)

- Group Painting Exhibition: Farhangsaray. Tabriz, June 1993

- Group Painting Exhibition: Maqbarat-ul-Shoara. Tabriz, September 1993 (Honorable Mention)

- Solo Exhibition of Paintings and Textile Designs: Nigarhane-i Mani. Tabriz, December 1993

- Group Exhibition: Maqbarat-ul-Shoara. Tabriz, 1993 (Honorable Mention)

- Group Exhibition: International Handicrafts Fair. Tabriz, September 1994

- Group Painting Exhibition: Farhangsaray-i Azerbaijan. Tabriz, February 1994 (Honorable Mention)

- Group Exhibition: Maqbarat-ul-Shoara. Tabriz, February 1994 (Honorable Mention)

- Group Exhibition: Maqbarat-ul-Shoara. Tabriz, Spring 1995 (Honorable Mention)

- Group Painting Exhibition: Nigarhane-i Mani. Tabriz, April 1995

- Solo Exhibition of Paintings and Textile Designs: Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Center. Istanbul, October 1997

- Solo Exhibition of Paintings and Textile Designs: Atatürk Library. Istanbul, March 1998

- Exhibition of Original Greeting Cards: Sokak Kahvesi. Istanbul, December 21, 2004

- Turkic American Unity Association Exhibition: Fairfax Art League. Fairfax, VA, June–July 2014

- Group Exhibition: Truro Anglican Church (Truro International Programs and Services [TIPS]). Fairfax,  VA, September 13, 2014

- Columbia County Evans library, Evans Georgia, Nov-Dec 2025

- Columbia County Performing Arts Center, Evans Georgia,  January 6 -April 16, 2026 (group)

- Columbia County cultural festival, Evans Georgia, April 18 2026 

Work experience

-Azadi Textile Factory, textile designer, Tehran, 1991–1992

-Selection committee for a painting competition for the 3–10 age group, Tabriz, September 1992

-Iranian Ministry of National Education, Printmaking and Design Department teaching method for high school students, Tabriz, 1994–1996

-University preparatory courses, instructor, private studio workshops. Tabriz, 1994–1995

-Iranian in government institutions, Provided instruction in painting and basic art education during summer courses at various, Tabriz, 1992–1994

-Seminars on drawing, graphics, and color psychology for teachers of the Iranian Ministry of National Education. Azerbaijan Region, 1995–1996

-Seminars on art history and fundamentals of art for teachers and students during summer courses are organized by the Ministry of National Education. Tabriz, 1992–1996

-Iranian Ministry of Culture, Art History and Basic Art Education instructor, summer program at a private high school affiliated, Tabriz, 1995–1996

-Uluslararası 6. Türk Kültür Kongresi, Ankara 21–26 Kasım 2005

-Eray Teks, textile designer, Istanbul, 1997–1998

-Served on the celebrations committee at the Turkish World Research Foundation, Istanbul, 2000

-1st Turkish World Women's Friendship and Solidarity Congress, delegate, Ankara, October 12–14, 2001

-Rüstem Pasha Cultural Center (under the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship—Coordinator for the Turkish World and Kin Communities), painting instructor, Istanbul, 2002

-Participated in the 11th International Conference on Oriental Carpets (ICOC), Istanbul, April 19–22, 2007

-Participated in the 38th International Congress of Asian and North African Studies (ICANAS). Ankara, September 10–15, 2007

-Participated in the 2nd International Eminönü Symposium. Istanbul, June 15–17, 2007.

-Turkic Ethnicities Research Center, Persian Farsi Instructor and Interpreter, Istanbul, Feb 2004 – Nov 2008

-Participated in the 3rd International Historical Peninsula Symposium, Istanbul, June 13–15,  2008

-Participated in the 2010 Symposium on Contemporary Turkic Studies (Iranian Turkology), Ankara, June 22–25, 2010

-South Azerbaijani carpets on WWW.VOA.COM (Radio interview ), February 19, 2013

-Founded the South Azerbaijani Society of America Inc. September 30, 2013

-Nowruz holiday on the Voice of America (Amerikanın Sesi interview). Washington, D.C., March 23, 2014

-Azerbaijani carpets on Lider TV Online interview. Washington, D.C., April 24, 2014