Elika Keshavarz: Translating Emotion into Colour, Shapes, and Texture

To Elika Keshavarz, art began as a quiet act of observation, a way to capture the moments, emotions, and stories that words could never fully express. As a deaf artist, what started as a personal refuge has evolved into a rich language through which she interprets the world, translating life into color, shapes, and texture. 

Her creative process is intuitive and emotion-driven. She begins by sitting with a feeling or memory, allowing it to guide her choice of colors and forms. Working in layers, she lets each stage evolve naturally, revisiting pieces with fresh eyes until they feel complete. This patient approach allows the artwork to breathe, creating space for both personal reflection and audience interpretation. 

Art, Keshavarz says, is grounding, healing, and purposeful. “Art doesn’t just contribute to my life—it shapes it, enriches it, and gives me a voice beyond spoken language, ” she explains. Even when faced with vulnerability, she embraces it as part of the process. “Instead of resisting fear, I let it sit beside me and transform it into movement, color, and expression. I remind myself that authenticity matters more than perfection.”

Keshavarz sees the artist's role as one of revelation and connection. “Artists create spaces for emotional connection and cultural reflection. We translate human experiences into visual language, helping society pause, feel, question, and imagine new possibilities.” Collaboration is equally important in her practice, guided by respect, openness, and curiosity. She believes that when artists come together, “they share energy, knowledge, and emotion-and this exchange enriches the final work.”

Primarily working in acrylics and mixed media, Elika values the expressive layering and emotional fluidity these mediums allow. Mixed media, she says, gives her “freedom to experiment, to break rules, and to create depth that reflects the complexity of human experience.” Her latest collection explores the connection between human emotion and shifting mental landscapes, blending abstract forms with storytelling elements. She is preparing to exhibit that work at upcoming shows and galleries, including the 10th edition of Art Vancouver, May 28 - 31. 

One guiding philosophy shapes her practice: “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” The purpose of creating, Keshavarz believes, is not just the act of making, but evoking emotion, perspective, and connection-a visual dialog that invites viewers into their own inner journey. 

By Marlene Ferhatoglu