Shadi Ghadirian

Place: Téhéran

Born: 1974

Biography:

Shadi Ghadirian is an Iranian contemporary photographer born in 1974 in Tehran, Iran. Her work is influenced by her experiences as a Muslim woman living in contemporary Iran, but also relates to the lives of women throughout the world. Through her photography, she critically comments on the pushes and pulls between tradition and modernity for women living in Iran, as well as other contradictions that exist in everyday life.

Early Life and Education

Ghadirian studied art and photography at Azad University in Tehran, emerging from school with a B.A. in photography. Her education provided her with the technical skills to express her unique perspective on the world. After graduating, she began to explore the complexities of women's lives in contemporary Iran through her photography.

Photographic Series

Ghadirian has produced several photographic series, including Qajar and Like Every Day. These series attempt to work through and reveal the issues that women face living in contemporary Iran while also bringing to light the complexities of negative stereotypes that these same women face coming from abroad. In her Qajar series, Ghadirian arranged portraits of women using backdrops and dress reminiscent of the Qajar era (1785-1925), but added contemporary Western props such as a boom box or a phone.

Awards and Recognition

Ghadirian gained international recognition through her Qajar and Like Every Day series in 1998 and 2001, respectively. Her work has been exhibited in various museums and galleries, including the Leighton House Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. For more information about her exhibitions and artwork, visit Shadi Ghadirian's page on Wikioo.org.

Themes and Style

Ghadirian's photography explores the topics of censorship, religion, modernity, and the status of women. Her work is characterized by its use of contrasting elements, such as traditional Iranian clothing and modern Western props. This contrast highlights the complexities and challenges faced by women in contemporary Iran.

• Miss Butterfly: a series that explores the theme of identity and self-expression.
• Nil, Nil: a series that examines the relationship between women and their environment.
• Be Colourful: a series that celebrates the diversity and individuality of women.

For more information about Shadi Ghadirian's life and work, visit her page on Wikipedia. Her photography can also be found on Wikioo.org, where you can explore her artwork and learn more about her artistic vision.