Ramak Bamzar
Moustachioed Women and Rhinoplastic Girls
29
June 2023
29
Jun
2023
21
Jul 2023
Gallery 3
Moustachioed Women and Rhinoplastic Girls
Ramak Bamzar
29
June 2023
29
June
2023
21
July 2023
Gallery 3
This photography project is my experimental and cultural exploration of religious dogma, gender inequality and censorship in contemporary Iran. In this practice, I use social media as a source to inspire the creation of staged portraits of contemporary Iranian women.As a counterpoint, guided by Antoin Sevruguin1’s historical photographs, I recreate images of Iranian women from the 19th Century to confront the ideals of beauty as fleeting and fickle and reveal the impact of the male gaze on the face and female identity in the Middle East. By considering the influence of Islamic fundamentalism under the Iranian theocracy on the beliefs and feelings of Iranian women, I seek to enter into a deeper understanding of the culture and behaviour of women in the Middle East. Emphasising the distinction between modern expectations and ancient traditions, I portray women’s choice of fashion, appearance, and beauty to represent how the limitations and pressures of the male-oriented culture can affect the perception, self-esteem, self-image, and individual identity of women.
This photography project is my experimental and cultural exploration of religious dogma, gender inequality and censorship in contemporary Iran. In this practice, I use social media as a source to inspire the creation of staged portraits of contemporary Iranian women.As a counterpoint, guided by Antoin Sevruguin1’s historical photographs, I recreate images of Iranian women from the 19th Century to confront the ideals of beauty as fleeting and fickle and reveal the impact of the male gaze on the face and female identity in the Middle East. By considering the influence of Islamic fundamentalism under the Iranian theocracy on the beliefs and feelings of Iranian women, I seek to enter into a deeper understanding of the culture and behaviour of women in the Middle East. Emphasising the distinction between modern expectations and ancient traditions, I portray women’s choice of fashion, appearance, and beauty to represent how the limitations and pressures of the male-oriented culture can affect the perception, self-esteem, self-image, and individual identity of women.
Ramak Bamzar
Ramak Bamzar (born. 1980) is an Iranian-born visual artist and fine art photographer based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. Her work explores how cultural and religious norms can shape women's beliefs, values, and behaviours and influence their sense of self-worth and agency. In her works, Bamzar also investigates the influence of the male gaze on women's beauty and fashion and its consequences on women's self-esteem and self-image. Women who do not conform to these restrictive beauty standards may feel pressured to conform, leading to feelings of inadequacy, shame, and low self-esteem. Bamzar completed a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art– Photography in Tehran and her Master of Fine Arts from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in 2022.