The MCAD MFA program maintains a full-time Visiting Faculty position as a core part of the teaching, programming and administration team of our program. Since fall semester of 2022, we have been extremely fortunate to host artist Ziba Rajabi in this role. Learn more about her, here, in a Q&A framed by multiple MFA students working for the MFA Promo Team.

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Who are you, Ziba?
My name is Ziba Rajabi. I am an Iranian visual artist currently living and working in Minneapolis.

How do you define what you do?
My practice revolves around painting, drawing, and fiber-based installation. However, whatever I make engages with the principles of the medium of painting. 

We’re curious about your experiences before the program – what was your professional path prior to MCAD?
I received my Master of Fine Arts from the School of Art, University of Arkansas, in 2019. I had a studio in Mount Sequoyah and taught as a full-time instructor at the School of Art, UARK, and as an adjunct instructor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. 

What led you to apply for the position? What was your interest in applying to be here with the MFA program?
The interdisciplinary aspect of the position was very appealing and aligned with my experience in Art and Design as well as my current studio practice.

What has your experience as MCAD MFA’s Visiting Faculty been like?
It is rewarding to be part of an MFA student’s experience in grad school and observe their growth in their own practice.

What’s your favorite project you’ve made/worked on while at MCAD?
The Stitch and Hatch series that led to a solo exhibition, The Beloved One Who Left, that took place in the MFA Gallery in August 2023, was one of my favorite projects that I have done during my time with the MCAD MFA program.

How has being in the Midwest/Twin Cities/Whittier neighborhood surprised you or affected you?
Well, of course, the winter weather! I thought I was prepared for it–based on what I had heard before–but the actual physical experience was totally different. The surprising fact was that I actually liked the freezing cold weather and the snow very much. 

What have you got coming up in your life? What are you excited about?
I just had a show, That Lost Folio, in the Morrison Gallery at the University of Minnesota Morris, a series of works that focused on exploring calligraphy and traditional Iranian book art. Also, I have another show, Recite a Poem When Feeling Hopeless, currently up in the Conkling Gallery at Minnesota State University in Mankato, which is the extension of the Stitch and Hatch series that explores language, calligraphy and Iranian book art, as well as domestic art practices and alternative mark-making. The artist talk will be on Wednesday, March 13th, 7:00-8:00 PM. I am also very excited about the Jerome Fellowship for Early Career Artists and its exhibition next year. I have currently started my research and technique/material exploration. 

Where do you get all your cool sweaters?
Well, Minneapolis encouraged me to use second-hand clothing, and a few pieces of clothing that I wear come from local thrift stores.