The startling contents held within her grandmother’s diary from the 1930s impelled Iranian-born photographer Ghazaleh Mobarghaie to action.
The work which followed was fuelled by the social, cultural and political issues faced by women in Iran and will this week be launched in her very first exhibition.
“As soon as I began reading these private documents I realised that the major topics of discussion were Iranian politics and culture during this time, especially the status of women in society,” she said.
“What was even more surprising was the dialogue that was taking place about freedom and what it means to be free.
“With Iran and the role of Iranian women now rarely discussed within Australian media, I was prompted to share my personal and historical knowledge of my culture through photographs.”
Ghazaleh says her work holds a deeply personal element, having lived as an Iranian woman in both Iran and Australia.
“I wanted to create a dialogue of the Western influences on Iran’s culture, religion and politics and in particular the modernization of Iranian women.”
Ghazaleh is now completing her Masters of Art in Visual Art majoring in documentary photography at the Queensland College of Art and also holds a bachelor degree in Law from Tehran and a Masters of International Relations from Griffith University.
She will have her work accompanied by the latest drawings from political artist and fellow student and Iranian, Hesam Fetrati.
“The Never Ending Transition” will open at 6pm Friday 17 at the POP Gallery, 12 Ipswich Rd Woolloongabba with the show running till February 25.
For more information: http://popgallery.com.au/?p=2214
Media Contact: Lauren Suto, 0418 799 544