After the Revolution: Contemporary Photography from California and Tehran

Co-curated with Ghazaleh Hedayat. San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries: City Hall. April - June 2008.

Artists: Mehraneh Atashi, Mahboube Karamli, Morteza Khaki, Meysam Mahfouz, Parham Taghioff, Elhum Amjadi, Amir H. Fallah, Naciem Nikkhah, Parisa Taghizadeh, Shadi Yousefian

After the Revolution is the first substantial exhibition mounted in the U.S. to feature photography by emerging artists from Tehran, alongside photographs by emerging artists of Iranian descent living in California. The pairing creates a rich dialogue around the hopes and concerns of Iranians and the Iranian Diaspora. It is evident in the photographs featured in After the Revolution that these young artists are grappling with a society caught between traditional values and contemporary innovation. The work highlights both the distinction between public and private spaces, as well as the specific nature of public and private expression within Iranian culture.

America’s political relationship with Iran is in continuous flux, and it is important during times that are more turbulent to reflect on the human experience. Contemporary art is a powerful tool to break down barriers and bring to light common experiences while celebrating disparate perspectives. It is evident in the photographs featured in After the Revolution that these young artists are grappling with a society caught between traditional values and contemporary innovation. The work highlights both the distinction between public and private spaces, as well as the specific nature of public and private expression within Iranian culture.

This exhibition is supported by Grants for the Arts, the San Francisco Arts Commission, PhotoAlliance, and Electric Works.