By Katty Biglari
Nasser Ovissi — a prominent Iranian painter whose imagery is rooted in Persian iconography — is the subject of a new movie directed by Alexander Kwanje titled “The Messenger of Joy.” The documentary will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Born in 1934 and based in Reston, Virginia, Ovissi was a key figure in the Iranian “Saqqakhaneh” movement of the 1950s and 1960s, in which artists sought to look beyond Western art and create a style of modern art that was more distinctively Iranian. Ovissi’s two-dimensional, miniature-style works represent themes such as the female figure, horses and pomegranates using calligraphy, geometric motifs, and a bright and joyful color palette.
In 2017, an exhibition marking 60 years of Ovissi’s artistic career was held at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Organized by the Tehran Art Center, it was accompanied by a publication with more than1,000 images.
Ovissi’s artistry and vision are actively promoted by his daughter Maryam Ovissi, who last November opened a boutique in Reston, Virginia. The boutique is currently hosting an exhibition of portraits of the former Empress, Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, by Ebrin Bagheri.
In 2021, the Ovissi Foundation was established to support young artists through education, residencies, awards, and programming.
Kayhan Life recently sat down with Maryam Ovissi for a conversation about Nasser Ovissi, his life and legacy, and his present-day contributions to the artistic community.
Can you please talk about the movie “The Messenger of Joy”?
Thanks to the vision of the filmmaker Alexander Kwanje, an artist of Iranian descent, a new film called “The Messenger of Joy” is being released about my father and his life. We are looking forward to this, and are very proud that it has been selected by the Toronto Film Festival where it will be shown in September.
Why did you decide to open the Ovissi Boutique in Reston, and what products does your boutique carry?
The Ovissi Boutique is an Ovissi Foundation initiative to make available the large collection of work that Ostad [Master] Ovissi has produced, from original art works to original scarf designs. Reston has been my father’s home for the last 40 years. It felt fitting to launch our Ovissi Boutique here.
We also feature a selection of works by artists of Iranian descent who work in the genre of modern Iranian craft, both locally and internationally.
Do you have original Ovissi paintings for sale?
We have both originals and reproductions. We also work with the Eran Art Gallery in Toronto, which manages our certificate of authenticity program and sells Ostad Ovissi’s original works of art.
Is Mr. Ovissi still producing artworks?
Ostad Ovissi is still creating art on a limited basis. As he says: “I am composing paintings always — in my mind.”
My father is 92 and has had several strokes which have left him limited in his ability to communicate. However, he understands everything and is especially moved to see how his work touches people and uplifts Iran and our cultural heritage.
I love taking him to the Ovissi Boutique, where he meets people and interacts with his friends and collectors.
Your boutique is currently hosting an exhibition of portraits of the former Empress, Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, by Erbin Bagheri. How did this exhibition come about?
I have had the honor of knowing Ebrin Bagheri for several years and we wanted to present an exhibition of his work honoring the legacy of Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi. Shahbanou Farah and my father have a longstanding friendship, and I have had the privilege of witnessing their fond interactions.
One of the first artworks that Her Majesty the Shahbanoo purchased for the Niavaran Palace in Tehran was my father’s. This purchase gave my father tremendous encouragement and confidence.
In the first year of our boutique opening, we wanted to honor Her Majesty’s presence in our life as well as her contributions to Iran. We have created a limited edition scarf of one of Ebrin Bagheri’s portraits to accompany the exhibition.
Ebrin Bagheri is a talented artist who has dedicated a series of works to acknowledging everything that Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi has done for Iran. The collection of portraits illustrates turning points in the life of the former Empress.
How did the Ovissi Foundation come about?
During the pandemic, my father and I had conversations about all of the people who supported him throughout his life, and the doors that were opened for his career as an artist to unfold. He recalled with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation the many opportunities that were offered to him.
Baba-Ostad [“Master Father”] and I thought about offering opportunities and backing to artists. The Ovissi Foundation is dedicated to supporting artists and programs created by individuals of Iranian descent and promoting Iranian art and culture.
How does the foundation select candidates and help them launch their careers?
The Ovissi Foundation provides financial awards to support artists studying and producing artworks. Each year a jury panel reviews applications and votes. We announce our awardees in June 2026
We also provide grants to non-profit organizations supporting artists of Iranian descent and related programs.
We provide a space for artists to have studios and offer classes and programs to the general public. Ostad Ovissi’s private residence and studio have been turned into a public space. My father lives with me in Reston, Virginia.
We also provide a public venue for works to be sold by Ostad Ovissi and other artists of Iranian descent, in support of the foundation: the Ovissi Boutique, in Reston Town Center.
Can you provide more details about the artist residencies in the studio of Mr. Ovissi?
Artists of Iranian heritage rent studio space and offer public classes and programs there. We currently have as residents Jalal Kimia (the talented Iranian musician and master of daf, the frame drum), and the visual artist Aylene Fallah.
We also provide space for artists to offer public programs. We are honored to have Dr. Navid Bazargan offering weekly art classes, and Behfar Bahadoran and Nahid Boustani offering special classes and programs. We are working on inviting international artists of Iranian descent and offering a three-month artist-in-residence program.
Do you have a particular objective you are now striving for?
The desire for a free Iran is very much alive within us. We launched a series of art-making events as part of our “Healing for Iran” series.
We have created videos to send messages of solidarity to the people and artists of Iran. Given what is happening in Iran, we are trying to find
sustainable ways to support Iranian artists. Most importantly, we are using art and community to provide a shared space that allows us all to create and speak to these extremely challenging times.
As my father always says: “You can focus on all of the things that are wrong, or you can do your best to bring good and beauty to this world.”
Professionally, I am a trauma-informed yoga therapist and believe deeply in the power of gathering in meaningful ways to work through all feelings — from rage to sadness, from despair to hope.
Recently, we shared the works of Iranian artists in Iran who are able to sell their work and get paid through a portal under Khoone Project:
https://www.redbubble.com/people/Khoone/explore
Beyond the beautiful works of art by Ostad Ovissi, we have an amazing collection of Iranian artist that bridge the ancient to the modern in their work.
