Under Iran's Islamic Penal Code, Iranian women's rights are severely restricted, a form of gender apartheid. Women must comply with the Islamic Republic’s mandatory hijab laws from the onset of puberty, and they are unequal in matters of marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance and more. In the Fall of 2022, hundreds of protesters, including dozens of children, have been killed by Iranian authorities. These nation‑wide protests were triggered by the tragic death of 22 year old Mahsa Jina Amini who died in police custody after being arrested by Iran’s “morality police” for failing to properly cover her hair.

#EyesonIran is a response in solidarity with the courageous Iranians who are risking their lives to express their demand for human rights and a free Iran. Artists and activists throughout the diaspora and their allies are holding a shared vision to ensure international audiences and institutions remain awake in their eyes and hearts to this movement.

Thread of stories

Artist’s statement

I focus on recent Iranian history, exploring it through text, figurative works, and abstraction, often drawing on the grid format of newspapers as a source of inspiration. I delve specifically into a heady and turbulent time in my birth country’s past - the 1979 revolution, a populist and nationalist movement consisting of Marxists, Islamic socialists, secularists, and Shi’a Islamists. These diverse groups united to overthrow the monarchy but instead of a democracy, ushered in an Islamic fundamentalist-led theocracy under Ruhollah Khomeini.

For my work, carpets provide the ideal surfaces to work. These are objects that embody and convey personal stories. They are symbols of the private and intimate that carry the stains of use. The damage and destruction of history - and our ability to prevail - are contained and represented by these beautiful artefacts. These carpets are personal yet I bring them to the public space for inspection as evidence of the ordinary lives of those involved and affected by political change and unrest.

Photograph: Mario Todeschini