By Gabriela Baron
A group of artists staged a performance art in solidarity with the women of Iran.
This, as nationwide protests in Iran, mostly led by young women and girls, continued following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was allegedly killed last September by Iranian authorities.
The death of Amini led to women across Iran posting videos of themselves on social media, cutting their hair and burning their hijabs.
Hijab has been compulsory for women in Iran since after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and members of the morality police enforce the strict dress code.
Since 2017, after dozens of women publicly took off their hijabs in a wave of protests, the authorities adopted tougher measures.
“[We] gathered to show solidarity with the people of Iran and to help bring awareness in regards to basic human rights and freedom of being,” Rowshan Begum, curator and visual artist, said.
“A world where we can all feel safe at home. A world where we can all belong. A world where every aspect of our being can be celebrated. A world where we can be free,” she added.
Begum explained that the exhibit “Be the Voice,” featuring 37 artists, is a “traveling exhibition,” as they plan to move from galleries to galleries.
Begum, who spearheaded the exhibit, said it started as an initiative to spread awareness of the ongoing revolution in Iran and to stand in solidarity with the Iranians.
The first leg of the exhibit was staged at the Super Duper Gallery in Quezon City last January.
Begum is a Bangladeshi curator and artist who has been residing in the Philippines for 12 years.
She is currently serving as a lecturer at the Far Eastern University. -cf
