Shirin Neshat is an Iranian visual artist and filmmaker based in New York City. Her work explores the complexities of identity, gender, and politics, often drawing on her own experiences growing up in Iran and her observations of Iranian society. Neshat's early series, such as "Women of Allah" (1993-1997) and "Unveiling" (1993), use photography to explore themes of femininity and Islamic fundamentalism. She has also directed a number of films, including "Turbulent" (1998) and "Women Without Men" (2009), which won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the 66th Venice Film Festival. In addition to her artistic work, Neshat has also directed operas, including Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" at the Salzburg Festival in 2017. Neshat's work has been widely exhibited and recognized, including winning the International Award of the XLVIII Venice Biennale in 1999 and being named Artist of the Decade by Huffington Post critic G. Roger Denson in 2010. She has also received an honorary professorship at the Universität der Künste, Berlin, and was awarded The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize in 2006. Neshat's work has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Serpentine Gallery in London, and the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin.
