'KHANOM' An exhibition of photographic works by Iranian artist Noushin Ourmazd

Khanom is a Farsi (Persian) word. It is commonly used and it applies to; Mrs., Miss, Ms, Wife, Lady, Woman, Mistress, Mother, Female and obedient.

This exhibition touches down on identity crises for Iranian women due to socio/economical and political/cultural pressures. Who are we? The rebellious inside has been suppressed. We are not what we wanted to be and we are not what they want us to be. All these suppressions and restriction have caused women to seek their identity in material comforts as well as being influenced by the global material loving preferences.

The difference is that the existence of choice in Western society does not apply to Iranian society. They have to sacrifice their truth for the need of financial and emotional security.
The lack of economical independence plays a major role in women’s submission to the machismo culture and dominance. The artist tries to show this dominance in her work in a subtle way. There might not be the physical presence of a male in the photograph but the signs of his power are present through those materials he has provided for the woman.
It’s interesting to point out that as any other society in order to change the oppressive behaviour there must be fundamental changes in the structure of the society.

Noushin Ourmazd was born in and lived in Iran until the revolution took place. As an Iranian woman she has lived these experiences and has observed and researched the changes in Iranian women status through years and she has developed a thorough outlook of Iranian women mentality and life, which she has portrayed in her work.
The exhibition aims to raise the awareness of the visitors about the conflict Iranian women are experiencing in their identity after the revolution.