Since 2003, when I moved to Montreal, I have quietly collected over 150 tintypes—delicate relics from the 19th century. These metal photographs, etched with the faces of women, children, and men, tell the stories of lives lived in Quebec between 1853 and the 1930s. Their narratives resonate deeply with me, and their small dimensions—just 2 3/8 by 3 1/2 inches—hold vast histories.

Between 2017 and 2019, I selected 15 tintypes and breathed new life into them. Each image was scanned and printed on large canvases, becoming the foundation for my new artistic direction. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Iranian carpet-weaving techniques of my heritage, I incorporated natural wools into the pieces. Using knitting needles, I stitched into the canvases, painted over them with bold, expressive strokes of color, and transformed them into 15 vibrant mixed-media masterpieces. Each piece, measuring 28x40 inches, serves as a bridge between the past and the present.