Shirin Neshat
Sherin Neshat is an Iranian born contemporary photographer known for her practice of exploring islamic women through strong culture and elements of the female body. Neshat was born in Qazvin, Iran in 1957 yet moved to America to complete her education at the age of 17. Little did Neshat know this presented an inability to return to her home country due to the Islamic Revolution. Sherin Neshat uses her body to represent her identity as an Irani woman through
symbolism often associated with her culture. Symbols of guns, native language and hijab are redily present within her shoots. Women of that culture and time wearn't often seen or associated amongst weapons or guns, this poses irony within her shoots as she represents women as a higher form. Neshat draws a distinction by using this symbolism of the dominance and power that a gun represents and juxtaposes this with the lack of power and respect that women from Iran at this time had. Positioning these symbols of power around her face; a place that all can see, show her pride and power she feels she has.