Maedeh Tafvizi
Maedeh Tafvizi is an Iranian-born ceramic artist, educator, and material researcher whose interdisciplinary practice explores the intersections of grief, ritual, and spatial memory through clay. Raised in Isfahan, she draws inspiration from Persian architecture, Islamic ornamentation, and ancestral weaving practices to reimagine traditional motifs—such as Zillo tapestry patterns—into sculptural forms using both ancient techniques like Egyptian paste and contemporary tools like 3D clay printing.
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (MFA, Ceramics), Tafvizi’s work bridges performance, installation, and material science. Her tactile investigations delve into the emotional weight of materials, embedding cultural narratives within sustainable ceramic processes. Her recent installation Grief Resonance reflects her commitment to translating fiber-based rituals into enduring ceramic expressions of memory and identity.
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- Maedeh Tafvizi, Grief Resonance, 2024. 3D-printed ceramic and yarn installation, Convention Center, Providence
Tafvizi’s work has been exhibited across the U.S. and internationally, with upcoming shows at the 2026 Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival and the 2025 Tallinn Design Festival. Her previous exhibitions include the Bristol Art Museum, ESPASSO Gallery, SK Gallery, and 12Gates Gallery. She has been featured in Surface Design Journal, invited to speak at Textile Talks, and recognized by the European Product Design Award and the London International Creative Competition.
Through clay, she constructs a language of continuity, where absence, memory, and heritage are held together by touch, time, and transformation.
