Artists Worldwide Rally in Support of Iranian Protests

Following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Tehran on September 16, 2022, after being tortured by Iran's morality police, widespread protests erupted across Iran. Artists globally have voiced solidarity. Kurdish artist Zehra Doğan, exiled in Berlin, smeared the Iranian consulate's railings with henna, hair, and menstrual blood on September 26. French street artist JR shared an image of Edith Dekyndt's hair flag, praising Iranian women's courage. Iranian-French filmmaker Marjane Satrapi created an illustration and gave an interview to PBS demanding systemic change. Chinese dissident artist Badiucao posted a cartoon of a woman swinging Ayatollah Khamenei. New York-based Iranian artist Shirin Neshat's digital work 'Woman Life Freedom' was displayed on Piccadilly Lights in London and Pendry West Hollywood from October 1-4, commissioned by CIRCA. Illustrators Benjamin Chaud, Petra Lilley, Raquel Freire, Chachouta, and Lediesis shared works on Instagram and Facebook. Italian museums Triennale Milano and MAXXI initiated symbolic protests, collecting hair locks to deliver to the Iranian consulate. Galleries like Next Street Gallery and nonprofit Art of Change 21 also expressed support.