Two Iranian Artists on Fashion, Freedom, and Cultural Identity

In an interview with Artribune, photographer Farnaz Damnabi and multidisciplinary artist Mehrnoosh Khadivi discuss their work, Iranian culture, and the importance of personal expression through clothing. Damnabi, born in 1994 in Tehran, had her first solo exhibition 'UNVEILED' at 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS gallery in Milan starting May 23, 2023. Her photography focuses on Iranian women's identity, capturing daily life and highlighting issues like gender discrimination and wage gaps. She emphasizes that choosing what to wear is a fundamental human right. Khadivi, based in London since the 1970s, is founder of Craftwork Studio and a visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art. She incorporates fragrance into her work, creating installations like 'SOIL' with dancer Daniela Neugebauer. Both artists stress the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve traditional craftsmanship. They note that since September 2022, awareness of rights has grown in Iran due to technology and economic pressures.