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s a i y a r e 🧿 سیاره

@_saikick_

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sai (“sigh” like the sad audible release of breath) ya (rhymes with “jah”) re (“ray” as in X, manta and sun beams)

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Almost a year to the day, the founder and director of @phrc_ps, Awni Farhat, agreed to be interviewed about The Witness Book for the @justseeds blog. At the time the publication was in the final editing stages before production.

Bittersweet isn’t the right word, but to see and read this book in its final form that holds so much grief and emotional labor from so many is truly profound. Profoundly heartbreaking. Not only does the reader begin to understand the lifelong impact the ongoing violence and g3nocide of the Palest¡n¡an people since the start of the occupation and the most recent escalations in the last two years. This book is a living archive that gives voice to children of G A Z A. We see the true impacts through their eyes, art and writing. And I hope that those who are able can purchase one or request your library to buy a copy that in turn will support and further the good work @phrc_ps is doing in G A Z A and with children and families who fled to Cairo.

I was also very much impacted by @fatmaaljabari’s writing in The Witness Book. She is an artist and PHRC Coordinator in G A Z A. May all those on the ground working alongside these children and their families remain protected. The fight isn’t over and in this way their voices and art transcend borders.

Thank you @awnifarhat for generously taking time to share some of your story and the process of making The Witness Book a year ago. I hope you and the PHRC team feels very proud of this self published accomplishment.

You can ORDER A COPY or DONATE to @phrc_ps by the link in their bio.

(The song is “Yal Tal3een” by @danasalah) by @_saikick_

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9 months ago

"I'm Chinese and Iranian, and I identify as queer. Growing up, I never felt Iranian enough, Chinese enough, or like I belonged here. I've always been searching for where I'm supposed to be. But over time, I've learned that it's okay to have multiple groups and multiple identities – we are multitudes. We don't have to be one singular thing for anybody’s approval.

“I wanted to be an artist since kindergarten. They asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said a teacher. Or an artist. I didn't know then that I could be both at the same time. I was that kid who would spend hours scribbling while my mom cooked in the kitchen. My parents, who came to the US as teenagers and had to build their lives with very little support, have always encouraged my art. I learned from their example – they were always busy but always supporting community. My mom is constantly volunteering. Growing up, they pushed me to excel – I was definitely an overachiever, in all the clubs, playing sports year-round.

“I went to PLU for college. It was actually discouraging at first – I couldn't get into any art classes. But then I studied in Oaxaca, Mexico, and everything changed. I was radicalized by the street art and political art I saw there. Our teacher when visiting a Zapatista community in Chiapas taught us something I'll never forget. When a peer asked how we could help their people, they said, 'Your country's done enough. Go back to your community – there are problems there. Fix those problems.'

“But my journey hasn't been easy. During my research trip back to Oaxaca, one of the artists I befriended, someone who had helped me understand the potential of community art, sexually assaulted me. I came back for my senior year not really understanding what that meant or how it was impacting me. It took me a while to understand how that moment shaped the rest of my life – how I interact with people, how I build trust, and how I utilize art for healing and connection in community. [continued in the comments] by @_saikick_

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2 years ago

calling all diasporic iranians! rise up for PALEST!NE NOW!

there is a long legacy of radical activism among the iranian diaspora, including organizing in solidarity with Palest!ne. Saiyare and Tala joined forces to bring this legacy to light and carry it forward! we call on diasporic iranians to rise up for Palest1ne right NOW! swipe to the end to see an original solidarity poster from 1977 by the Iranian Student Association and the Organization of Arab Student as well as our updated version of it.

it has been very discouraging to see influential Iranians in diaspora sharing zionist propaganda after there has been so much energy within the diaspora around countering militarized police violence of the “women, life, freedom” movement [originally from the kurdish resistance movement from state repression as “jîn – jiyan – azadi”]. the freedom of the palestin1an people from 1sraeli occupation (financially backed by BILLIONS of us taxpayer dollars) should not be any different. as displaced lineages of people dispersed on turtle island and around the globe we are in solidarity with indigenous liberation struggles from Palest!ne to Rojava and beyond.

rise up NOW! support Palest1nian resistance, freedom and life!

the subsequent texts are inspired by a quote from
Indian novelist and activist Arundhati Roy,
“…Non-violence is a piece of theatre. You need an audience. What can you do when you have no audience? People have the right to resist annihilation.”

and to the few iranians (mostly LGBTQIA+ identified iranians in diaspora) continuing to share updates about palestine, we see you, we love you and we know we will continue to fight for bodily autonomy, total abolition and freedom beyond the bounds of state repression and arbitrary borders.

feel free to share the following graphics and keep up the pressure for a CEASEFIRE and to END THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE:

(image descriptions in comments) by @_saikick_

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3 years ago

On Friday we wear black and orange.

Happy Tiger Day, Sheridan Tigers! More details coming soon. by @_saikick_

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3 days ago

Sunday’s mural unveiling in the Art Alley celebrated the history behind McMinnville’s newest public artwork, A Gathering Place by McMinnville-raised artist Saiyare Refaei (@_saikick_ ).

The mural honors the historic Chinese community whose labor helped shape McMinnville, recognizing the workers who contributed to the city’s early growth and the traditions and celebrations that continue to bring people together today.

Created in consultation with the Asian Heritage Association, the mural is also a reflection of Saiyare’s own connection to McMinnville and the Chinese heritage represented in the piece.

The unveiling brought the community together with live music from @catchandreleasemac , noodles from @annamvlpdx , tea from @velvetmonkeyteashop , kimchi from @calicokimchi , and mooncakes from @asianheritageassoc .

Thank you to the Asian Heritage Association and everyone who helped bring the mural and Sunday’s celebration together. A Gathering Place is now part of McMinnville’s Art Alley! taken in McMinnville, Oregon by @_saikick_

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13 days ago

Happy belated mid autumn moon festival and thank you to everyone who joined us last night for A Gathering Place mural celebration! There were so many happy tears and reunions. I am so honored to be part of uplifting such foundational Chinese history in my hometown of McMinnville and hope this is just the beginning of more opportunities to understand these worker’s contributions and celebrations.

Thank you to @visitmcminnville and @asianheritageassoc for your trust to bring this history and vision to life. Thank you to my parents for ensuring we grew up with some taste for our traditions. Shout out to all the former educators, family friends and buds who came through. And Jade’s kiddos who were an amazing lion dancer duo.

Thank you @catchandreleasemac for playing live music, @velvetmonkeyteashop for the warming teas, @calicokimchi for the yummy kimchi options, @annamvlpdx for the noodles, @visitmcminnville for serving up bubbly and @asianheritageassoc for bringing the moon cake!

(Some photos courtesy of Jean Thompson, Lanette Smith, Stephanie Page and Bahram Refaei.) by @_saikick_

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14 days ago

From utter confusion to little masterpieces! I love seeing the “I get it!” or “I can’t believe I could do it” moments.

Thanks @communityprintolympia for having me teach another fun two color block printing class! Thanks Zephyr for getting me all set up.

The next one is snail mail card making (designed for teens) on October 10th. Signup with @communityprintolympia. by @_saikick_

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16 days ago

“My Name Means Free” is our forthcoming children’s picture book! Join author Tala Khanmalek and illustrator Saiyare Refaei this November 21st, from 2–4pm at @toolboxlabs (309 Puyallup Ave, Tacoma).

We’ll do a little cover reveal and share a reading from this forthcoming children’s book about Azad—a non-binary child of Iranian descent whose name means “free”—and talk about the process of bringing their story to life, making art amid war, and resisting cultural and identity erasure through art.

Just as Azad reimagines Norooz and the haftseen in the book, we’ll invite our community to do some reimagining of our own by building a community altar together during the event. We’ll also have coloring and crafting.

Participants will also have the opportunity to preorder “My Name Means Free” with @bluecactuspress and help us bring this book into the world.

Children, families, artists, and community members of all ages are warmly welcome. This is a free event, no registration required.

This event is supported by the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Art Commission’s TAIP Grant while all views are our own.

(Song is “Free” by @florenceandthemachine) by @_saikick_

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20 days ago

In our correspondence this week, Loretta reminded me of #FreeTheFiveFriday so I’m wearing my shirt I designed with her quote “I’m going crazy in this bitch.” Loretta has been incarcerated longer than I have breathed air on this Earth. This last year she was denied parol (again) and has been denied more times than any other woman in the state of Mississippi even though she has taken all the courses and done all the processes asked of her.
Please take a moment to learn about her and the Mississippi Five through @study__struggle. If you weren’t able to order a shirt through @study__struggle’s fundraiser there are still numerous ways to support their cases and fights for freedom. Their website has free downloadable zines, their addresses to write them a letter and send them funds for their commissary and legal fees.
You can also read my interview with her on the @justseeds blog that includes these links. by @_saikick_

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24 days ago

Bye summer.

Coming up:

Sept 26th
Intro to Linocut Printmaking
12:30-3:30 pm
@communityprintolympia
(Register in their link in bio)

Sept 27th
A Gathering Place
mural celebration in Art Alley
4-7 pm with @asianheritageassoc & @visitmcminnville

Oct 3rd
The 253 Group Show
Tacoma Public Library
Main Branch - Handforth Gallery 12-4 pm
Throwback print with @joythealchemist will be featured. Show organized by @tacomaarts.

Oct 10th
Snail Mail Makers’ Workshop
(Designed for teens to print their own greeting cards)
12:30-3:30 pm at @communityprintolympia (Sign up on their website soon!)

(📸 from @vernonfiloteong 🎞️ - Davao.) by @_saikick_

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a month ago

Join us Sunday, September 27th 4-7! Live music from @catchandreleasemac. Celebrate the amazing mural by @_saikick_ that honors Chinese history in McMinnville. by @_saikick_

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a month ago

Such a highlight to have had so many talented artists fill the walls over the past 18+ years and to be a place for the community to gather. Current artist Kirsten @turnofthecenturies and next artist Saiyare @_saikick_ pose for a quick photo.

Kirsten showing through December 2026 and Saiyare showing January through mid April 2027. by @_saikick_

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a month ago