Shirin Neshat is an Iranian-American visual artist and filmmaker who was born in 1957 in Qazvin, Iran. She is best known for her stunning works of art which focus on the socio-political issues facing members of her Persian-speaking culture. Her works are filled with symbolism and often feature images of women in traditional Islamic dress along with references to poetry and traditional Persian art.
Neshat moved to the United States in 1974 to study art, first at the University of California, Berkeley and then at the University of California, San Diego. After completing her studies, she moved to New York City and began to focus her art on Iranian culture. Her art quickly gained an international audience, and in 1993 she was invited to exhibit her works internationally.
In 1997, Neshat made her directorial debut with the acclaimed film ‘Women Without Men’, an adaptation of a novel by Shahrnush Parsipur. The film was well received and earned her the Silver Lion Award at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. Since then, she has directed and produced a number of films, including ‘Looking for Oum Kulthum’, which was nominated for the Golden Lion Award at the 74th Venice International Film Festival.
Neshat continues to combine her visual art with her filmmaking, often exploring the same themes in both disciplines. Her work is defined by its focus on the experiences of Iranian women, and her use of Islamic symbols to explore issues of identity, belonging and oppression. Her works have been exhibited at galleries and museums around the world, including the Tate Modern, the Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art.
Neshat is an inspiration to many, and her works have been the subject of much critical and public acclaim. Her art has been included in a number of important art historical collections, and she has received numerous awards and fellowships, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008. Her work continues to explore the complex relationship between politics, religion and gender and is a powerful example of what art can achieve.
