Saeedeh is my name

Saeedeh is an Iranian artist who obtained a graphic design certificate in 2000 and a BA in Dramatic Writing in 2006 from Tehran University of Art. With a background in playwriting, she moved to Istanbul in 2013, where she shifted her focus to visual communication. In 2020, she earned an online BA degree in Illustration from the University of Hertfordshire, which marked a turning point in her career as an illustrator. She then moved to the UK to pursue an MA in “World Building and Creature Design” at Leeds Art University in 2023, where she significantly enhanced her manual skills and craftsmanship.

Having pursued an evolutionary and pre-historical approach to creature design, mythological narratives and epic literature are the core of Saeedeh’s favourite themes.
Inspired by nature, her style emphasises biological accuracy and anatomically correct human gestures.
Saeedeh is often viewed as reclusive. While she enjoys engaging in thought-provoking discussions and participating in social gatherings, she frequently retreats to her personal space to read, draw, or contemplate. She loves spending time outdoors with her Jack Russell Terrier.

Saeedeh’s interest in herbal remedies and domestic healing has driven her to delve into botanical illustrations. Her scholarly background in ancient rituals, semiotics, and demonology has inspired her to research and illustrate previously unillustrated texts, particularly Persian manuscripts.

Living in modern society and following the norms, she is surrounded by antiquarian books, dry seasonal spices, and a collection of archaic motifs. At times, she feels like a civilised witch.