Golnar Tabibzadeh, Iranian painter
Date: 2006
Region: Middle East
Subject: Nudity Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Painting
Artist: Golnar Tabibzadeh (b. 1984)
Confronting Bodies: Islamic Republic of Iran, conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Date of Action: August 2006
Location: Tehran, Iran
Description of Artwork: Tabibzadeh's work depicts nude figures that despite their intimate relationships, appear to be detached and alienated. Tabibzadeh incorporates social criticism into her figuartive work. Her work does not portray the conventional Iranian standard of beauty; however, the work provides a glimpse into the lives and mentality of the post war generation.
The Incident: Because the Iranian government prohibits the public display of nudes, Tabibzadeh cannot exhibit her nude paintings.
Results of Incident: She sells her non nude work in galleries, but is often forced to sell them for very little because of the depressed art market. Tabibzadeh belives that her art enables her to express herself in ways that she cannot in the outside world.
Source: Toronto Star, www.thestar.com