ARTIST RESEARCH: SHIRIN NESHAT

Shirin Neshat is an Iranian born artist, with running themes of juxtaposing ideas in her work. Some of these themes include, Islam and the West, femininity and masculinity and public and private life.

During first year, we were shown some of her work, photography and video and it had an incredible impact as it has such deep and political meanings. One of her most famous pieces of video work that I enjoyed was Turbulent, this is a dual screen piece in which we watch a man sing what I assume is a traditional song, with a full crowd watching with his face to the audience. On the other screen is a woman, singing what can only be described as sounds, which seem to not sound like words, facing the audience with no one in the crowd. This is displaying Identity quite clearly. Neshat also has a lot of work around the oppression women feel in Iran and this is show in Turbulent. The man on the left screen is singing with a crowd listening; whilst the woman, has no one in the audience and isn't saying any words, almost as if she isn't allowed an audience to voice herself.

Neshat also does photography work and has created some wonderful and moving pieces of imagery with some calligraphy work too.  She created series of images that are sacred parts of peoples bodies. Such as their faces, hands for praying, and feet for walking on. These were shot in black and white to display the hardship and depth of what Neshat is trying to display. As she is well known for her political and identity themes I feel this is displayed very clearly through these three images. Showing that your identity is what you say and your religion and that it is displayed on your body. Having words from the Quran on your face is an incredible political statement and one that could liberate women in Islam which is what Neshat is trying to do. 

SUMMER PROJECT

For the summer we were presented with a project to plan and develop an installation to have a politically aware agenda. I decided to base my installation around mental health and the seemingly unknown hidden life about it. Struggling with it myself, I feel I am not taken seriously by doctors and the NHS of everyday symptoms and how it can drastically change all aspects of your life. Of course, if you had a broken leg, a visible injury, then you would be seen to straight away at the hospital to get it fixed. However, I feel because mental health suffering is often primarily internal, you are not taken seriously as know one can see inside as to what is going on. 

Anyway enough about me. I found some incredibly moving and touching photography surrounding the same themes and ideas I was looking at and felt like this could inspire my own work and instillation. The artist is called John William Keedy and he has produced a series of work that resonated with me particularly, it is titled "It's Hardly Noticeable" I would like to share some of the images with you know and explain why and how they resonated and inspired me.

All four images are from the same series. What I like about them so much is that they are subtle in showing displays of suffering. If you just so happened to see these images without knowing the meaning and title behind the series, you wouldn't associate them with mental illness and suffering. What I like about these pieces is they're very unique. Many artists who try and capture mental health, often tackle it head on with images of people appearing sad, or in black and white and things of a similar nature. However William Keedy has captured life in colour, and shows the everyday struggle of mental illness and sufferers trying to go about their daily life. They show a sense of overwhelming things that seem trivial to someone who doesn't suffer. Having to remind yourself to be good as you leave the door as reassurance against your mind that wants to battle you. Overwhelming things being delivered or trying to be contacted when all you want to do is shut yourself away. 

I feel that these sorts of images would be best displayed in and around a city, on sides of buildings or posters. I feel this kind of abstract but relatable imagery to those who suffer could be reassuring and liberating that they're not the only people who feel overwhelmed by everyday life. It could hold a positive meaning and where lots of people come and go everyday can see it. This could liberate the stigma I would hope, and allow people to talk about their everyday suffering which is still a big part of people's lives. 

I tried out some of my own images that inspired me looking at this work. I feel my results were less abstract that William Keedy's but I still gave it a go. Below are the images I took:

Although I feel these didn't the abstraction of William Keedy's work, I feel I created my own meaning from what I felt when I looked at his images. I composed my photos the way I did to ensure my head was in full shot to show where the suffering originates from in my body. Plus the fact that I have comical band aids on my head shows that my internal suffering isn't taken seriously and is a joke. In the first image I show only my forehead as I feel sometimes I am only seen by what I suffer with as supposed to the many other things that make up me and my personality. The second and third image shows that I am often not seen or listened to when I am calling out for help, I feel disregarded. I felt that even though my images didn't display the same abstract feel as William Keedy's collection, I feel I brought a new meaning in which I discovered myself. 

Sorry it's been heavy for the first day back. I hope you enjoy. Thank you.