Nazanin Jahangir
Nazanin Jahangir’s works are intrinsically linked with the Western concept of female portraiture. They represent the spirit, confidence, and courage of Iranian women who have experienced systematic and structural discrimination. The female bodies are loosely painted, yet they share a conceptual density and layered messaging. At first sight, the viewer might see a beautifully painted face, yet that face carries the heavy burden of seeking freedom. Jahangir uses the Western medium of acrylic paint on canvas, while her portraits depict young Iranian women, capturing their potential and exploring the historic authority of women in Iranian culture.
Influenced by the elegant Secession era paintings of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, she manages to bring across her own emotions and the feelings of these young women without falling into the trap of simply copying the Austrian masters. The broad eyebrows and large eyes clearly point to their heritage and cultural identities, whilst their style of clothing hints at their aspirations. “Women, life, freedom” is the slogan of all of them.
Work
Image courtesy Jorit Aust.
