16 April 2024
Koushna Navabi
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Koushna Navabi, (born 1962, Tehran, Iran), American-British artist, evolved from a Tehran Conservatory ballet dancer to an influential visual artist amidst Iran’s revolution. Settling in London after years as an illegal immigrant in the US, she earned her master’s degree in fine arts at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her work, blending personal narrative with political commentary, has gained recognition in the UK and internationally.
For When Solidarity Is Not a Metaphor, Koushna Navabi is presenting a textile sculpture entitled Between Presentation and Representation (2023-2024).
In September 2022, following the tragic murder of Mahsa Jeena Amini and numerous others at the hands of the Islamic Republic Guard Corps, schoolgirls across Iran initiated their own protests against the regime. In response to these protests, the authorities resorted to horrifyingly violent measures, targeting schoolgirls in elementary, middle, and high schools. The brutal tactics continued across various provinces until April 2023, resulting in countless schoolgirls being exposed to toxic gas in their own classrooms.
Between Presentation and Representation emerged as a commemoration of the harrowing plight endured by young girls in Iran. Inspired by their struggle, it represents the fragility and resilience of the human body and spirit.
Crafted with intertwined textile elements that evoke human organs, the sculpture captures the delicate balance between human fragility and resilience. This piece not only memorialises the grave ordeals of these young protesters but also stands as a testament to their unyielding spirit and the collective call for justice and freedom, ensuring their voices echo globally—and into the future.
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