Early Life and Formation Kamran Youssefzadeh, known globally as y.z. kami, was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1956—a period of significant cultural and political transition. This formative environment instilled within him a deep sensitivity to the ephemeral nature of existence and the weight of history, themes that would become central to his artistic practice. His initial exposure to art came through his mother, herself a portrait painter, whose studio served as an early sanctuary for creative exploration. These childhood experiences laid the groundwork for his lifelong fascination with the human…