Shirin Neshat she was born in Western Iran, but brought up with Western Ideologies. Her Parents seemed to reject their heritage, and brought her up with Catholic intentions. But she learned traditional religious values through her mothers parents. Primarily she works with black and white video and Photography, which normally features writings from the Quran. Photography centred around Islamic culture and violence, words inked on the body.

(1997) Her film Turbulent, which portrays a man singing in front of an all-male audience. Soon after he gets an applause. The woman then starts singing to an empty concert hall. The noise that she projects turns into something that is hard to hear, some sort of ear retching screaming. Its like she is crying out at the injustice that she feels is held against her because she is an Islamic woman. O0

Claude Cahun - Surrealist French artist, Primarily remembered for her surrealist and staged photography portraits - Although she was generally referred to as female, she identified herself as gender neutral - she made a series of monologues in her early work, comparing female fairy tale characters to contemporary women. -Cahun and Moore (partner) retired to the island of Jersey continuing their writing and self-portrait making , the island became invaded by Nazi troops. Cahun and Moore became extremely politically active in a self prompted anti-German movement (The Guerilla Girls 63). -Cahun produced surrealist flyers which she then dispersed widely into coat pockets, open car windows, table tops and crumpled and thrown into buildings. -Her actions were not only political but artistic as well. Cahun and Moore’s operation was so successful that the Nazis were convinced of a secret resistance group working on the island. - They were found out, imprisoned and though it was not carried out, sentenced to death.

The above piece titled ‘what do you want from me’ is an artists depiction of the struggle that she might be having with herself in regards to her gender. -one face is alert, anxious, sympathetic -other head is turned inwards, looks slightly disconnected - The composition and lighting has an eerie feel to it, suggesting that there might be something more darkly psychological behind it. - “This is a violent image of the self divided.”

‘Don’t kiss me’ ‘Rebellious Science’

How do we think Cahun influenced Neshat? Well its pretty clear just by looking at the above photos. Looking at these two photos we can see that one is more outrageous than the other visually, but, Both are looking at gender roles in different cultures. Neshat’s work has more traditional aspects to it, involving the writings of Islam on her face, and a traditional headscarf. Both of these things suggest the oppression of women in that culture, and is more obvious what its about than Cahun’s work. Arguably, Cahuns work doesn't have a straight up feminist undertone to it from first look in today world, but back then, posing like this, with how should looks would be outrageous. This shows how both artists want to push the boundaries of what women are expected to be and do. Both photographs are monochromatic, with a similar lighting to them, but clearly one image looks older than the other. Despite the different time periods, the style of the images are dramatic and designed to have an impact on the audience viewing them. Both have a simple composition to them, involving just one person in the portraits, which is a similar style throughout both artists work.

Both Neshat and Cahun’s work have political aspects towards it Cahun was involved in a political movement (Guerrilla Girls) involving female artists fighting against sexism and racism within the art world. They wore gorilla masks to conceal their identity. Neshat’s work is centred around Iranian political art. She explores the changing status of women in Iran and depicts political issues as personal narratives. Despite having being brought up in strict educational backgrounds they were both encouraged to question their cultural background. Cahun’s father was a leading journalist for a French republican newspaper, and Neshat was brought up with both her parents fantasising about western cultures, which of course, is a lot more accepting of women than the more traditional culture she has decided to explore in her work.

In summery…. Neshat was influenced by Claude quite directly, with both artists focusing on the more feminist aspect of society within their art work. Despite being in different time periods, their work is comparable and displays how in most cultures gender issues are still a widespread problem. Female artists will continue to tackle this issue as much as they can in both direct and surrealist ways. Just like Claude did and Neshat will continue to do.