Portraits of Impact

Maryam Takalou says that she was tiny and quiet as a child. Growing up in Tehran, Iran, she often found herself standing in the shadows of her much taller and louder brothers. She found her voice and strength through artistic expression.

“Art is my daily tool for survival,” Takalou said. “No matter how small or fragile I may feel, I have art. Each project allows me to discover new parts of myself. My work is a process of healing and evolution — for myself, the audience and the ever-shifting environments I move through, free from the sense of belonging.”

Takalou had the opportunity to come to the United States for a Master of Fine Arts degree. Now a visual and performing arts doctoral student in the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology, she uses aspects of traditional Persian art styles to explore how visual prejudice shapes a perception of “the other.”

“Migration broadened my journey of self-discovery as a woman, leading to a more profound self-acceptance,” Takalou said. “In my current practice, I engage with landscapes that influence our memories, challenging conventional perspectives through defamiliarization and restructuring. I like to examine the biases within Western landscape traditions and invite viewers to rethink these constructed views. My landscapes aren’t fixed realities but spaces to be reconsidered, transforming preconceptions and inviting fluidity.”

In spring 2024, her piece “Perspective of Status” was displayed in the SP/N Gallery at UT Dallas. Inspired by traditional Persian art, which depicts those of a high status as large and dominating, Takalou encourages the audience to play with their own status in relation to her. Bringing the environment into her work, she utilized wood sheets and planted seeds on their surfaces to create multiple versions of her body. Her shadow, and that of the museumgoer, can be manipulated to demonstrate an empowering growth of status as the shadow grows larger.

Her piece — along with a long resume of other artistic successes — earned her funding through the Robert Plant Armstrong Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund was first established through a planned gift from former UTD faculty member Dr. Robert Plant Armstrong in the 1980s. Plant’s generosity has provided financial assistance to hundreds of students in the Bass School.

“I primarily used the financial support I was given for essential art materials,” Takalou said. “Additionally, I allocated part of the budget to purchase basic filming equipment to use in the courses I teach. This allowed me to create short, creative educational demos for my students, many of whom have backgrounds in digital media and animation. These videos are designed to bridge their existing skills with foundational practices in traditional art, highlighting the enduring importance of drawing as a vital tool for their artistic development.”

Takalou’s art recently caught the attention of a City of Frisco representative who reached out to her about creating an installation for a project in Grand Park. She’s excited to revisit her cutout body series and explore a new version with dynamic projection mapping.

“The journey of an artist is a continuous pilgrimage,” Takalou said. “It is solitary yet rooted in a collective spirit of belonging and preservation. When we, as a community, feel seen and supported, it strengthens our shared resilience. Donors and friends of UTD recognize how essential creative spaces are for artists to reflect, grow and shape their voices within society. Their support, especially during tough times, is truly inspiring and shows their strong belief in the impact of our work.”

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