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

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.