b. 1957, Qazvin, Iran; lives and works in New York, U.S.

Shirin Neshat is renowned for her contributions in film, video, and photography. Her work concerns the intersections and contradictions between Islam and the Western world, femininity and masculinity, public and private spheres, and antiquity and modernity. Living in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Neshat’s work considers the erosion of fundamental human rights and increasingly reflects a profound concern for themes of tyranny, dictatorship, oppression, and political injustice. While she does not identify herself as an activist, necessarily, she believes that her art, regardless of its form, serves as a powerful expression of protest and a heartfelt plea for humanity. Neshat's works serve as a platform for introspection, inviting viewers to confront and question societal norms, cultural boundaries, and power dynamics. Her pieces often feature evocative imagery, layered symbolism, and thought-provoking narratives, drawing attention to the complexities of the human experience in the face of political and social turmoil.

Shirin Neshat's recent solo exhibitions include The Fury, Fotografiska, Berlin, Germany (2024); The Fury, Gladstone Gallery, New York (2023); Land of Dreams, Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto (2022); Photo London Master of Photography: Shirin Neshat, Somerset House, London (2021); Shirin Neshat, Goodman Gallery, Cape Town (2021); Shirin Neshat – Looking for Oum Kulthum, Musée de l'Eysée, Lausanne (2019); Shirin Neshat: Dreamers, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2019); Looking for Oum Kulthum, Faurschou Foundation, Copenhagen (2018); Dreamers, Dirimart, Istanbul (2017); Shirin Neshat, Mücsarnok Kunsthalle, Budapest (2014); The Book of Kings, Faurschou Foundation, Beijing (2013); Women Without Men, Palazzo Reale, Milan (2011); Women Without Men, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (2009); Shirin Neshat, National Gallery of Iceland, Reykjavik (2008); Shirin Neshat, Stedelijk Museum CS, Amsterdam (2006); and Shirin Neshat – Possessed, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich (2005). Recent group exhibitions include Listening for Traces, Rizq Art Initiative, Abu Dhabi (2024); Before/After, Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, Hiroshima (2023); Human, 7 Questions, LEEUM Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul (2022); An Uncertain Pleasure. Selected Works from Pierre Huber's Collection, Bogotá Museum of Modern Art - MAMBO, Bogotá (2022); After the Silence, Statens Museum for Kunst Denmark, Copenhagen (2021); 21st Biennial of Art of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, International Santa Cruz (2020); She Persists, Heist Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Palazzo Benzon, Venice (2019); and Lahore Biennale 01, Lahore (2018).

For further information about this artist please click here.

For Shirin Neshat's entry on Asia Art Archive's website please click here.