AP Art History Project By: Ryan Ballard Period: 5 4/8/14

Identification Title: Rebellious Silence Date: 1994 Artist: Shirin Neshat - Born in Current home is in New York - Brought up in the religious town of Qazvin in north- western Iran - Enrolled in UC Berkley - Married a Korean Curator, Kyong Park - One child: Cyrus Park

Content conceptual narrative on the subject of female warriors during the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979 Fighting for women’s rights, freedoms and equality Part of a series of photographs titled Women of Allah inscribed calligraphic Farsi text on the women’s face - text is poetry by contemporary Iranian women poets Very moving and powerful gaze that brings emotion to the viewer and awareness to the subject matter: the role of women in the war

Patron / Site No patron – meant for the public Spread the word of feminism and women in the war Religion directly affects the community

Media of Work Black and white photograph Ink No color creates a darker, more serious tone and feeling Picture captures the reality of current issue

Scale Small Black and white, deep shadows and undertones Normal proportions

Purpose Feminism Bring attention to women involved in the war Religious duties of women Style Realistic (It’s a picture) submissive gaze, suggests a far more complex reality behind the surface. Woman holding a gun with poems written on her face that describe the war and what women do Dress wear is typical of a Muslim woman in Iran

Formal Elements Dark shadows that create emotion and accentuate the woman’s expression Zoomed in on the subject which focuses the viewer’s attention No distinguishing lines except for the important areas: gun, face, writing Symmetrical, disregarding the writing These are mostly typical of Neshat’s works

Additional Works Way In Way Out Allegiance with Wakefulness Part of Women of Allah Series Black and white Feet of Muslim woman with gun Photograph 1994 Part of the Women of Allah series Black and white Muslim woman praying Gun is present, so is a Iranian poem Photograph 1994 These photographs became iconic portraits of willfully armed Muslim women.

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