I am Ario (Ariu) Azadi — آریو آزادی, a traditional and digital Dark-Expressionist artist from Tehran. My work explores freedom, psychology, and the human condition through painting, photography overlays, and digital art.
My last name, Azadi (آزادی), means freedom in Persian, and this idea sits at the heart of who I am and what I create.
My practice often begins with improvisation, guided by fleeting emotions, fragments of thought, or something deeper I cannot always define. If words could carry the weight of these feelings, I would write or speak them. Instead, I turn to visual art, pushing my craft to capture what resists language.
Sometimes I add poetry or short explanations to my work, but even then the words feel incomplete. More often, I finish a piece and wonder: “What was I really reaching for?” In this way, my art becomes a mirror — a path of self-discovery. Over time, revisiting older works reveals meanings I didn’t see before, reminding me how both I and my art are always evolving.
My inspirations are drawn from many places:
— human nature, freedom, identity.
— Khayyam, Kafka, Rumi, and writers who explore the depths of the mind.
— atmosphere, rhythm, and imagery that shape my inner world.
I hold a BA in Graphic Design and began a Master’s before shifting fully into my own practice. Today, my journey expands into art therapy and artificial intelligence. I see AI not as a replacement for art, but as a new medium — a way to merge technology, psychology, and raw expression to deepen human connection.
As an introverted artist, I create to connect — with myself, and with others willing to step into the silence.