Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East and Beyond
[Los Angeles, CA] “Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East and Beyond” is a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibition. It sheds light on the rich and diverse experiences of women in this region.
Featuring works by artists from Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, and other countries in the Middle East, as well as diaspora artists, the exhibition challenges common stereotypes and misconceptions about Middle Eastern women.
Through painting, sculpture, photography, and video, the artists explore themes such as identity, culture, politics, and gender.
“Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East and Beyond” brings together the creations of 42 female artists. The show depicts what curators say are the personal and universal stories of women in Islamic societies. It also aims to challenge stereotypes about this part of the world.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is “Untitled (Faces)” by Iranian artist Shirin Neshat. The piece features a series of black and white portraits of Iranian women. Each has a Farsi inscription overlaid on their faces. The inscriptions are fragments of poetry that reflect the inner thoughts and emotions of the women depicted, highlighting their complexity and individuality. Through this work, Neshat challenges the idea of Middle Eastern women as oppressed and voiceless, showing them as active agents of their own lives.
A powerful showcase of diverse and multifaceted experiences, “Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East and Beyond” opened Apr. 23, 2023, at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). It remains on view through Sep. 24, 2023.
In addition to its daytime hours, LACMA is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and until 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday.
This is ideal for those who are unable (or unwilling) to visit museums by day.
#EveryMuseum in America could be open late at least once a month.
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