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Hoda Afshar: Humanity Amidst Inhumane Systems
29 Oct
Summary
- Artist Hoda Afshar channels personal experiences with authoritarianism into powerful art.
- Her work explores 'states of exception' and the humanity of marginalized individuals.
- Afshar's art highlights social justice failures in Australia and Iran.
Artist Hoda Afshar transforms her formative experiences in 1990s Iran into impactful Australian art. Having faced punishment by morality police for perceived transgressions, Afshar, part of Iran's 'burned generation,' developed a profound sensitivity to injustice and state violence.
Migrating to Australia in 2007, she now leverages her freedom of expression to critique both Iranian and Australian systems. Afshar's work often focuses on 'states of exception,' situations where normal laws do not apply, bringing the humanity of marginalized subjects to the forefront.
Her notable projects include 'Remain,' created with Behrouz Boochani and refugees on Manus Island, and 'Code Black/Riot,' which documents Indigenous youth in detention in Queensland. These pieces juxtapose beauty with violence to underscore systemic inhumanity.
Afshar's latest exhibition, 'a/part,' also features 'Agonistes,' examining whistleblowers who face prosecution for revealing wrongdoing, and 'Shafaq,' a personal reflection on her family's safety amid conflict in Iran. Her overarching artistic goal is to foster connection and recognize universal human dignity.
