Shadi Ghadirian Art for Sale and Sold Prices

b. 1974 -

(b 1974) Iranian photographer, Shadi Ghadirian’s work focuses on the women of her home country, particularly their place in what she calls Iran’s “own unique system.” After graduating with a degree in photography from Azad University in Tehran, Ghadirian’s first two series of photographs dealt with woman purely “by accident.” She was interested in the contradictions she saw in their lives and created a series of studio portraits which combined nineteenth century dress and background with anachronistic contemporary objects (Pepsi cans, newspapers, etc.). After her marriage to fellow photographer Peyman Houshmandzadeh, Ghadirian began to receive domestic gifts from her friends and neighbors who were trying to encourage her to improve her non-existent culinary talents. This inspired her to create the 'Domestic' series in which she photographed household items dressed up in the traditional Iranian chador, commenting on the repetitive routine of women’s daily life. Ghadirian’s work continues to explore similar themes today and she says that her photography is aimed not at documentation but at commentary on current social issues.