Woman, Life, Freedom is a four day exhibition of work by Sahar Fanian and Ehsan Hazaveh, curated by the Iranian Solidarity Group Aotearoa.
On 13 September 2022, a 22-year-old woman in Iran was arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating mandatory dress code regulations for women. Under suspicious circumstances, she fell into a coma while in custody and passed away three days later in a hospital. The circulation of a viral photo showing her on life support machines sparked nationwide protests in Iran known as the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. These demonstrations quickly spread to other countries, leading to a global social uprising with support from local communities. For example, in Berlin, nearly 100,000 people protested on 22 October in solidarity with the Iranian protests, marking the largest demonstrations against the Iranian government since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranians in New Zealand also held numerous protests in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch to show their support.
Since the protests began, Iranian immigrants abroad have been devastated as they received distressing news from their home country. More than 500 people, including 68 minors, have been killed, and hundreds of protesters have been injured. Nearly 20,000 have been arrested, including journalists, some of whom remain in custody. The government has severely restricted internet access, leaving them with gatherings and demonstrations as their only means of support.
Amidst these protests, the experiences and emotions of Iranians abroad, as well as their feelings towards the victims, are often overlooked. This exhibition showcases staged actions with Iranian activists who have deeply immersed themselves in the tragic events in Iran. The photos strive to depict instances of what happened in Iran during the uprising, as seen through the eyes of the performers. The exhibition intends to convey the experiences of the Iranian diaspora in Aotearoa.
Opening Hours
- Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm
- Saturdays, 11am - 4pm
Address
- 211 Left Bank
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Woman, Life, Freedom is a four day exhibition of work by Sahar Fanian and Ehsan Hazaveh, curated by the Iranian Solidarity Group Aotearoa.
On 13 September 2022, a 22-year-old woman in Iran was arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating mandatory dress code regulations for women. Under suspicious circumstances, she fell into a coma while in custody and passed away three days later in a hospital. The circulation of a viral photo showing her on life support machines sparked nationwide protests in Iran known as the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. These demonstrations quickly spread to other countries, leading to a global social uprising with support from local communities. For example, in Berlin, nearly 100,000 people protested on 22 October in solidarity with the Iranian protests, marking the largest demonstrations against the Iranian government since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranians in New Zealand also held numerous protests in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch to show their support.
Since the protests began, Iranian immigrants abroad have been devastated as they received distressing news from their home country. More than 500 people, including 68 minors, have been killed, and hundreds of protesters have been injured. Nearly 20,000 have been arrested, including journalists, some of whom remain in custody. The government has severely restricted internet access, leaving them with gatherings and demonstrations as their only means of support.
Amidst these protests, the experiences and emotions of Iranians abroad, as well as their feelings towards the victims, are often overlooked. This exhibition showcases staged actions with Iranian activists who have deeply immersed themselves in the tragic events in Iran. The photos strive to depict instances of what happened in Iran during the uprising, as seen through the eyes of the performers. The exhibition intends to convey the experiences of the Iranian diaspora in Aotearoa.
