Analysis Of Shirin Neshat 'Art In Exile'

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In December 2010 Shirin Neshat gave a TedTalk asking its audience to consider how they perceive Iran. As an artist in self-imposed exile from Iran, Neshat uses the TedTalk, “Art In Exile,” to talk to a western audience about the Iranian peoples’ struggle to shake off the negative preconceptions many have in the west. Neshat uses her artwork to explore this issue and aims to highlight the role of Iranian artists, how western views on Iran are changing, and the strength and importance of Iranian women in their country’s fight for freedom.
Firstly, Neshat introduces the role of Iranian artists. She discusses how it is relatively distinct due to their existence being characterised by politics. According to Neshat (2010), artists hold a vital place in society as the mouthpiece of the people. Many feel pressurised to fulfil their social obligation to communicate the realities of their political, cultural and societal situation to both the Iranian public and the western world. For example, the script in Speechless (see Figure 1) symbolises what the woman wants to say but cannot. Through this globally relevant artwork, Neshat goes beyond politics and religion to provide a social commentary on Iran. In other words, the Iranian public and outside world are provided with a valuable insight into the situation and views of Iranians. This is through artists such as Neshat who are free from the strict ideological constraints that the current Islamist regime imposes.
Figure 1. Neshat, Shirin. 1996. Speechless. Gelatin silver print and ink. Retrieved from http://www. glad stonegallery.com/artist/shirin-neshat/work#& panel1-4
Like Neshat, Khosrow Hassanzadeh is another
Iranian artist who is asking us to consider how the west views Iran. Both aim...

... middle of paper ...

... courageous women?
In conclusion, the Iranian artist, Shirin Neshat, gave a TedTalk in December 2010 that outlined the role of Iranian artists in how the west perceives Iran and the changing position of women in Iranian culture as the political and cultural situation slowly shifts. In the end, what Neshat managed to convey through this talk was her desire for the west to consider the biased information that tends to front our news headlines in recent years, and further study could reveal why these negatives are often emphasised by the west. Although Neshat is in self-imposed exile from Iran, she still manages to highlight to the west the issues her country faces. Consequently, Neshat causes many peoples’ focus to shift towards Iran’s rich history and the strength of the Iranian people today and therefore helps to inspire people to continue the struggle for freedom.

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