Sooreh Hera
Sooreh Hera (born 1973)[1] is an Iranian artist and photographer. "Sooreh Hera" is a pseudonym the artist chose for herself.[2] Hera's work, often featuring depictions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, have been considered expressions of free speech to some and offensive Islamophobia to others.[2] She is currently based in the Netherlands.[3]
Biography
Hera was born in Tehran.[3] She is a graduate of the Hague School of Fine Art.[4]
In December 2007, the Islamic Democratic Party "issued a statement calling for a mobilizing of forces."[5] In addition, she was called a "devil artist" with "plans against Islam."[5] These led to death threats against Hera, causing her to go into hiding.[5] She also has a fatwa issued against her.[2]
Work
Hera describes her work as exposing hypocrisy in the teachings of Islam about issues like homosexuality.[2] She feels that it is important to talk about sexuality in order to criticize religion.[3] Hera states that "in countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia it is common for married men to maintain relations with other men."[6] She says that "I'm hoping my work will arouse discussion."[2] One of her censored works, "Adam and Ewald," was a photograph of gay men wearing masks depicting Mohammed and his son-in-law, Ali.[7] "Adam and Ewald" is part of a series called Adam & Ewald, de zevendedagsgeliefden (Adam & Ewald, Seventh-Day Lovers).[8] The title of the series references the story of Adam and Eve, and also refers to a speech from a conservative Christian Dutch politician.[9]
Some
References
Citations
- ^ Kuiper, Annelies (1 December 2007). "Respectloos!". Cultureel Supplement (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Winter, Jana (3 May 2008). "Iranian Artist Fights to Have Muhammad Art Displayed in Dutch Museums". Fox News. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b c "Soore". Soore (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ Golding 2014, p. 18.
- ^ a b c d e f Esman, Abigail (18 December 2007). "No Gay Gods?". ArtNet. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ Campbell, Matthew (6 January 2008). "Woman Artist Gets Death Threats Over Gay Muslim Photos". Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 May 2016 – via EBSCO.
- ^ Esman 2010, p. 190.
- ^ Meijer-van Mensch 2013, p. 48.
- ^ Meijer-van Mensch 2013, p. 48-49.
- Art Das Kunstmagazin(in German). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ "Hague Museum Pulls Offensive Muslim Art". The Age. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ Esman 2010, p. 236.
- ^ a b Meijer-van Mensch 2013, p. 50.
Sources
- Esman, Abigail R. (2010). Radical State: How Jihad is Winning Over Democracy in the West. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. ISBN 9780313348471.
- Golding, Viv (2014). "Museums and Truths: The Elephant in the Room". In Fromm, Annette B.; Golding, Viv; Rekdal, Per B. (eds.). Museums and Truths. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 9781443854498.
- Meijer-van Mensch, Leontine (2013). "New Challenges, New Priorities: Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas From a Stakeholder's Perspective in the Netherlands". In Marstine, Janet; Bauer, Alexander A.; Haines, Chelsea (eds.). New Directions in Museum Ethics. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9780415522878.
External links
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