Paper short abstract:

As an artist, I am presenting a series of my work, which includes an audio/visual presentation. It is intended to provoke discussion on the subjects of nudity, gender, and identity.

Paper long abstract:

Migration and change of homeland and the transformation of culture and its social identity causes not only the former concepts of identity to have a different meaning, but also can result in conflict with the new identity.

As a female artist originating from Iran with a Muslim majority, the body, clothing, and identity, have always been questionable and appealing. The body, and especially the naked body, has always fascinated me because I look at it as a pure base of identity and not from a sexual point of view. I have always examined and presented gender and identity in my work metaphorically amongst paradoxical concepts and double-faced features such as femininity and masculinity/ ugliness and beauty/ pain and pleasure/ power and strength.

As a cross-culture artist, I explore the real human identity irrespective of time and place. This status of time and place of birth enforces an additive identity on the human being. Clothing is perhaps the first visible and judgmental aspect of this superficial identity. Clothing has a powerful influence on us, and more importantly, in the eyes of others. This superficial identity shrouds the real identity of any human being.

I demonstrate this by choosing different people from different ethnic groups, religions, orientations and sexual preferences, often naked or with a type of clothing, which is in conflict with their defined identity. I invite my subjects to become part of my story in an effort to challenge and question the patched cultural and gender identity that imposed on us.