Farnaz Damnabi: Unveiled

29 ARTS IN PROGRESS gallery is delighted to present the first personal exhibition of the young Iranian Artist Farnaz Damnabi, from 23rd May to 28th July 2023.The exhibition is entitled ‘UNVEILED’ and it brings together a selection of works that tell visitors the tale – as refined as it is powerful – of a young female photographer from contemporary Iran, suspended between past and future.

Women play the absolute starring role in her shots: Damnabi both illustrates and pays tribute to the Iranian female identity, which is shown here in the routine of women, mothers and workers ignored by a strictly patriarchal society, which is so late to recognise their equality, value, and freedom.

Many of the photographs on display highlight issues such as discrimination against women in the labour market, the gender gap in salaries, and the failure to recognise their silent contribution to key sectors of the Iranian economy and craft industry (such as the harvesting of saffron in the fields of Torbat-e Heydarieh or the production of carpets).

In her Lost Paradise series, female figures are portrayed from behind in front of a traditional Persian rug and appear to blend in – and almost merge – with the background, a metaphor for both their optical and social invisibility.

Some of her most famous reporting work, which is both poetic and dramatic, is dedicated to children and has the dual purpose not only of showing the difficulties of a childhood spent in this country, but also the ability – typical of youngsters – to find magic even in the most adverse circumstances because, as the emblematic title of one of her projects reminds us, Playing is my right.