Sheida Soleimani's Exhibition Redefines Care as Political Act
Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani is set to unveil her new exhibition, Forest of Stars, at the Yancey Richardson Gallery in New York from 16 April to 22 May. As the daughter of political refugees, Soleimani's work uniquely frames the act of caring for both human and animal bodies as a profound political statement, challenging traditional narratives in photography and art.
Inspired by Family and Refugee Experiences
Soleimani's artistic journey is deeply rooted in her family's history. Her mother, a former nurse in Iran who cared for animals after immigrating to the United States, and her father, a doctor, instilled in her a sense of caretaking through makeshift surgeries on injured animals. "I grew up around that type of caretaking," Soleimani recalls, highlighting how these childhood experiences shaped her understanding of compassion and resilience.
Her series Ghostwriter features anonymous subjects to protect her parents' identities as political refugees and to critique colonial histories in photography, such as phrenology and physiognomy. "A big reason I don't really show people's faces or do traditional portraiture is because of that," she explains, emphasizing her push against stereotyping and exploitation.
Artistic Themes and Symbolism
Soleimani's work often incorporates animals as autonomous beings rather than symbols, resisting the tendency to attach human-made ideas to non-human creatures. She uses a symbolic lexicon of props to build a visual language, describing them as "map keys" that help narrate events in her photographs. One notable piece, Deliverance from 2024, features a white flag with her father's life motto: "We are the wave whose comfort is our demise," derived from an ancient Persian poem about constant movement and vitality.
In Ghostwriter, she draws parallels to the game of Snakes and Ladders, reflecting the luck and chance refugees face in escaping oppressive regimes. "This kind of luck and chance is very similar to the game that refugees have to play," Soleimani notes, connecting her art to broader socio-political issues.
Political Context and Activism
With ongoing conflicts in Iran, Soleimani's art serves as a platform to amplify silenced stories. "We're at war with Iran right now," she states, pointing out internet shutdowns and decades of suffering under a totalitarian regime. Her work aims to bring attention to these struggles, using photography to challenge the dominance of straight white male perspectives in the medium's history. "I'm really interested in challenging that type of perspective," she asserts, advocating for more inclusive and consensual artistic approaches.
Through surreal and tender imagery, Soleimani's exhibition not only celebrates Iranian culture but also underscores the political power of care and empathy in a turbulent world.
