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A million moons: Self-portrait as an Iranian woman, 2023

Sammaneh Pourshafighi

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 Finalist

cyanotype on paper (frame: 42.1cm x 48.6cm depth 4.5cm)

Sammaneh Pourshafighi
born Iran 1982, Australia from 1984

A million moons: Self-portrait as an Iranian woman 2023
cyanotype on paper

‘My series Exposed hair comprises cyanotypes made by arranging hair on sensitised paper and exposing it to UV light. The hair, contributed by Iranian women in Australia including myself, symbolises solidarity with victims of patriarchy like Mahsa Jina Amini. Defying oppressive dress codes, the hair forms images of freedom and rebellion. Some pieces reflect Iran’s tangled history, while others resemble celestial clouds, representing hopes for a brighter future. A million moons depicts crescent moons made from my curly hair, as an expression of emotions and feminine qualities in nature. The moon’s phases mark time and hold significance in Islam, particularly during Ramadan.’

Naarm/Melbourne-based Sammaneh Pourshafighi is a queer genderfluid Muslim artist. Pourshafighi’s multi-disciplinary practice examines identity politics, mental health, diasporic tensions and relationships between bodies and environments from a feminist perspective.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

Other NPPP photos from Sammaneh Pourshafighi

Portrait of My Mother As An Ethno-Futurist Icon, 2023 Sammaneh Pourshafighi
2023 Finalist
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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