Shirin Neshat Retrospective Announced for Milan in 2025

Shirin Neshat (Qazvin, 1957) will have her first Italian retrospective in 2025 at PAC – Padiglione di Arte Contemporanea in Milan, announced during a talk with curator Diego Sileo and Beatrice Benedetti, supported by the Municipality of Milan. Neshat, an Iranian artist living in exile, explores themes of identity, gender, and diaspora through photography, video, and film. Her work includes the iconic "Women of Allah" series (1993-97), the video installation "Turbulent" (1998) which won the Golden Lion at the 1999 Venice Biennale, and "Women Without Men" (2009) which won the Silver Lion at the 2009 Venice Film Festival. At the talk, her dual-channel video "The Fury" (2022) was presented, depicting a woman dancing under the gaze of military figures. Neshat emphasizes the urgency of art as a response to personal and political questions, particularly the oppression of women in Iran. She cites the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi as a symbol of resistance. Neshat's nomadic practice moves between mediums, reflecting her dual identity as Iranian and American. Her work often incorporates Persian poetry and calligraphy, drawing on mystics like Rumi, Hafez, and Saadi. The retrospective will be curated by Diego Sileo and Beatrice Benedetti.