Interview
Mary Shbn
Contemporary stone sculptor, transitioned from graphic design and painting to sculpting, where she found her true artistic voice. With freehand carving, she breathes life into raw stones, shaping emotions, nature, and abstract forms each piece a timeless story. She was born in Tehran, Iran. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from the Art University. Mary had comprehensive training in visual arts, graphic design, and creative expression, where she developed strong design skills and worked professionally on clothing printing during university studies. She worked as a graphic designer and illustrator, After a few years as an art director with famous advertising companies, presenting impressive designs for major campaigns. Mary is also collaborated with several publications in Iran, the United States and Switzerland, created book covers that blend artistic storytelling with graphic design. Now, she has transitioned to full-time stone sculpting, creating Sculptures that embody human emotions, nature, and abstract concepts. She specializes in freehand sculpting, using precision tools to shape raw stone into expressive forms without pre-modeling.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My journey into the world of art began with these words from my mom - words my dad agreed with: ‘Mary, you are a talented painter. Let’s send you to art school.’ Art and sports brought endless joy into my life. That was how my path into visual arts began. I studied at art school, explored the realms of design and graphic arts, and eventually graduated from university with a degree in visual arts. When you pursue a profession that aligns with your skills and interests, it’s easy to get lost in the routine of daily work and forget what you love most. For me, I forgot my deepest aspiration: to be a painter - not just a professional in the industry, but an artist immersed in the raw, unfiltered beauty of creation. Life, however, reminded me in a profound and painful way - through loss and grief. It was as though the universe intervened, whispering, ‘This is not your true path.’ You must leave. So, I followed the signs, and my journey came full circle. I found myself in a small coastal town, a place filled with cherished memories. I had left behind the noise of the big city to breathe again, to heal my heart and soul. Every evening, I walked along the shore, gazing at the waves and listening to the sea, as though it were whispering life back into me. I watched the seagulls and called them Jonathan, after Jonathan Livingston Seagull - a beloved companion in spirit, a symbol of the boundless flight of the soul. The sea laid small stones and shells in my path, as if guiding me toward a new world - one that emerged from the depths of my heart and soul. With the sea's serenity as my inspiration, I discovered the joy of sculpting stone. Each morning, I greet the water, the wind, the earth, and the fire. I speak to them, and I feel they hear me. In these moments, I become one with the universe. For years, the stones I have transformed into sculptures - timeless and enduring - have guided me toward a sense of immortality. My entire life is art, and art is my entire life. Today, I am a graphic designer, photographer, painter, and, with all my heart, a stone sculptor.”
What inspires you?
“My inspiration comes from the sea, from nature, and from the emotions that stir within me. The sea, with its waves and endless horizon, sunrise and sunset has always held a deep meaning for me. Its constant ebb and flow remind me of life’s cycles, of loss and renewal. The wind carries whispers of love, and the earth offers quiet strength. Every stone, every shell, every fleeting moment is a reminder that beauty can emerge from the simplest things, if only we choose to see it. But above all, I am inspired by the human spirit, the strength that comes from overcoming pain, the resilience to rebuild, and the power to transform sorrow into something powerful. My own journey, the pain I’ve lived through and the lessons I’ve learned, shapes my art and fuels my desire to create. I sculpt stones not only to express my own feelings but to capture the essence of transformation, of both the stone and the soul. Art is my conversation with the universe, my way of understanding and finding peace within it. Every piece I create is born from this dialogue with the elements and with my own heart.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I am more interested in showing the inner feelings of people in my sculptures. I love turning hard stone into a sculpture that can touch people's inner feelings with the emotion it contains, a feeling that is created within the visitors when they see it. Each piece describes a deep emotion that the viewer connects with on a personal level. Apart from emotional faces, I have created sculptures inspired by animals, both in realistic and abstract ways. Sculptures like intertwined hippos, Jonathan the seagull, a leopard, a shark, a bear, mirror fish, and a few others - each of them has its own unique story and idea behind it. Animals have always been my favorites. My father taught me, since childhood, to care for them, to pay attention to them, and never to be afraid of them, as they are part of the existence and beauty of nature around us. Of course, except for wild animals that should be run from them. I am not trying to impose a theme on the viewer. I want my sculptures to touch their feelings and allow them to find and describe what they love within my work. I want them to feel a deep connection and joy in that bond. Art is a special connection - the bond the viewer establishes with a sculpture or painting. It’s a deep connection that makes the viewer want to experience something new every day with it, something that ties into their own life. It also leaves behind the memory of the emotion they felt when they first saw the sculpture, a memory that will live on in the future. My art sculptures will live forever after me. I will be immortal in them.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is an emotional journey, both for me as the artist and for those who experience it. It is about transformation - taking something hard and unyielding like stone and shaping it into something that speaks directly to the heart. I strive to capture the depth of human emotion, the unspoken stories we all carry within us. Each sculpture is a reflection of a feeling, an essence that resonates with anyone who takes the time to truly see it. I describe my work as an intimate dialogue between the viewer and the sculpture. It’s not just about the form, but about the energy and emotions that flow through the stone and connect with the person standing before it. My sculptures are not just objects; they are living, breathing moments frozen in time - each one telling a story, evoking a memory, and sparking an emotional response. I work with the belief that art should not just be seen but felt, deeply and personally. The stone is my language, my medium, and through it, I speak to the soul, hoping to inspire connection, understanding, and a deeper appreciation of the beauty in life’s struggles and triumphs.”
Which artists influence you most?
“A friend once asked me what kind of music I love the most, and my answer was simple: Good music that touches my heart, in any language or dialect, is beautiful to me. Artists and their works are like music; they resonate with my soul. The works that touch me deeply, the ones I feel a connection with, are the ones that inspire me. If I were to name specific works or artists, I would feel as though I were doing an injustice to the countless beautiful creations made by great artists, many of whom may remain unknown. What I truly love is the uniqueness of each artist and their work, their ability to make the world a more beautiful place for all of us. I love the uniqueness of the artists and their art, respect to all true artists who make the world a more beautiful place to live.”
“My art sculptures will live forever after me, I will be immortal in them.”
What is your creative process like?
“Creativity is not something we can simply summon by following a formula. It is something deeper - something that flows from within, born from vision, inspiration, and the innate talent to create. It must be discovered, nurtured, and allowed to grow. Everyone possesses a unique creative gift, and the more we feed it - by immersing ourselves in our art and opening our eyes to creation - the more it flourishes. When we focus on an art form that aligns with our deepest passion, creativity naturally finds its way to where it is meant to be. For me, the process is always evolving. Sometimes, I begin with a design already formed in my mind, sketching it onto paper before I touch the stone. Other times, the stone itself reveals what it wants to become. The moment I lay eyes on it, I see the figure within, waiting to be set free. I remember once designing a sculpture on paper, but when I looked at the stone, I saw something entirely different, A girl sleeping inside it. I saw her clearly, as if she had always been there, and I simply brought her to life. That moment of discovery is one of the most beautiful feelings an artist can experience. Some sculptures come to me in my dreams. I wake up, sketch them, and hold onto them until I can carve them into stone. My mind is filled with endless ideas, visions of women’s liberation, the untamed beauty of nature and animals, the deepest human emotions, and abstract forms that speak in silence. But sculpting stone by hand is slow, and my ideas are endless. Turning my visions into sculptures feels like flying for me.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role in society is to be a mirror, a storyteller, and a bridge between the seen and the unseen. Artists give form to emotions, ideas, and truths that words alone cannot express. Through their work, they awaken awareness, challenge perspectives, and inspire change. Art has the power to heal, to stir emotions, and to create connections between people beyond language, culture, and time. As society evolves, so does the role of the artist. In the past, art primarily documented history, honored the divine, or captured beauty. Today, it is also a voice for those unheard, a protest against injustice, a reflection of identity, and an exploration of the human experience. With technology and social media, artists now have the ability to reach the world instantly, breaking barriers that once confined creativity. Art is no longer limited to galleries and museums; it lives in digital spaces, on city walls, in movements that spark global conversations. But no matter how art evolves, its essence remains the same: to touch the human soul. True artists don’t just create for admiration; they create to express, to question, to move, and to leave something behind that lingers in the hearts of those who encounter it. Through time, art has been - and will always be - one of the most powerful forces shaping the world.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have participated in several exhibitions with my stone sculptures. Atölye 76 2020 and IAAF Istanbul 2021, Next Gallery 2022, which were held in Turkey in and a few local exhibitions, We all know that from those years until now it has been a difficult year for all people in the world due to the existence of Covid-19, that I decided to just work for now until the world situation becomes healthier and such restrictions have delayed the exhibition of my stone sculptures, anyway with all the difficulties that exist for me in my artistic life I follow my dream and I did not give up so that I will exhibit my works in more exhibitions soon.”
