Bio
Ava Maken Ali’s research explores creative explosion and the expression of rage as an angry woman, as well as the role of animals in this expression. She engages with both traditional art forms, such as drawing, installation, video, fashion, and performance, and non-traditional practices like writing, publishing, and even daily life itself by transforming her home into a living museum. Through this, she challenges conventional methods in art, education, and research, pushing the boundaries of creative expression and inquiry.
Before her PhD, Ava earned an MFA in Visual Studies from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Art and Architecture from Tehran, Iran, with certification from Milan, Italy. Her writings have appeared in The Educational Forum, Visual Arts Research, and the book Experiments in Art Research: How Do We Live Questions Through Art? Her artworks have been featured in the NAEA Member Exhibition, Journal of Curriculum & Pedagogy, Brooklyn Rail, and Financial Tribune. She has also served as a jury member for high school art exhibitions for several years.