Who Is Maral? – The Story Behind Maralkunst
When people walk into my gallery, they often ask: “Who is behind Maralkunst?”
The answer is more than a name — it’s a journey that began far from Oslo, shaped by resilience, art, and the belief that every creation should carry a story.
From Iran to Norway – A New Beginning
My name is Maral Jafarian. I was born in Iran in 1980, and my name — Maral — means “deer” in Turkish, a nod to my Azeri heritage.
In 2014, I moved to Norway, becoming an Iranian-Norwegian artist, jewelry creator, and curator.
I graduated as a textile engineer in Tehran, but my true love was always art. I studied painting under some of Iran’s most respected artists — Gholamhossein Nami, Nosratollah Moslemian, Babak Etminani, and Mehrdad Khataee — and spent years creating and selling handmade crafts.
Art was my language, my way of connecting with people. I redesigned old jewelry, combined gemstones with beads, and turned forgotten pieces into something new.
A Sudden Change of Course
Just as I was preparing to exhibit my paintings in Iran, my life took a dramatic turn. My then-husband decided to immigrate to Norway.
Arriving in a new country, I didn’t speak Norwegian or English. I had never lived abroad before. Everything was different — the culture, the climate, the expectations. And yet, I had to find a way forward while facing financial hardship and the pressure to provide for my family.
The Street Market Chapter
Six months after arriving in Oslo, I discovered the Sunday street market. In June 2014, I stood behind my first table, selling oriental-inspired jewelry I had redesigned from gems and vintage pieces.
It was the start of something much bigger than I could imagine.
For six years, I was at that market every Sunday. Those early days taught me how to connect with people, how to adapt my designs for Norwegian tastes, and how to tell the story behind each piece.
From Survival to Vision
At first, my focus was survival. I rented a small gallery space while waiting for my business visa — a risky move, but one I felt in my bones I had to take.
In the beginning, my gallery displayed mostly paintings. Jewelry was a side passion. But I quickly realized that jewelry — wearable art — could be a way to merge my creativity with something people could carry with them every day.
Life wasn’t without hardship. In 2016, I became a single mother. For months, I slept in my gallery because I had no other home. Yet even in those moments, I refused to give up.
The Turning Point
Slowly, my vision grew. I began sourcing high-quality jewelry, collaborating with artists I met during my travels, and curating vintage treasures.
Whenever I traveled — from Mexico to Italy, India to Iran — I collected pieces that reflected local artistry, heritage, and culture.
My gallery became a meeting point for travelers, collectors, and locals seeking something beyond ordinary.
Why Maralkunst Exists
Maralkunst is the result of my journey — a bridge between artists and the world.
I know what it means to be unseen, to struggle for a voice in a market dominated by fast fashion and luxury giants. That’s why my mission is to support artistry globally and create a space where stories matter as much as materials.
Every piece in Maralkunst — whether made of gold, silver, brass, wood, leather, ceramic, or beads — is chosen for its story, craftsmanship, and soul.
Today and Beyond
After years of dedication, Maralkunst is now proudly recognized as Oslo’s top-ranked gallery attraction, with more than 350 five-star reviews from visitors around the world.
We collaborate with GetYourGuide and YouWish.no to offer travelers and locals unique opportunities to discover the magic of meaningful jewelry through memorable, hands-on workshops.
These workshops are more than just creative sessions — they are experiences of connection, where participants create wearable memories that tell their own story.
“Maralkunst’s mission is to support artistry globally, preserve cultural craftsmanship, and create a bridge between independent creators and the world — offering meaningful, slow-fashion jewelry that carries a story.”