For many in New Zealand, our understanding of contemporary Iran is immediately connected to images of conflict and tension. The perception that it is a culture closed to the west and culturally isolated is however dramatically changing, and artists and filmmakers have been at the cutting edge of this shift.

Ey! Iran presents the work of 17 artists working in photo media based both in Iran and as expatriates who have left the country and continue to make work that is informed by their Persian heritage.For many in New Zealand, our understanding of contemporary Iran is immediately connected to images of conflict and tension. The perception that it is a culture closed to the west and culturally isolated is however dramatically changing, and artists and filmmakers have been at the cutting edge of this shift.

Ey! Iran presents the work of 17 artists working in photo media based both in Iran and as expatriates who have left the country and continue to make work that is informed by their Persian heritage.Lopdell House Gallery, in Titirangi will be the first New Zealand public gallery to host this exciting exhibition, opening on Thursday 12 June at 6pm.

The show then runs from 13 June - 3 August as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography. Curator, Mandana Mapar from the Gold Coast City Art Gallery in Queensland and one of the exhibiting artists, Leila Pazooki, will be at the launch and give a talk in the gallery at 10am, Friday 13 June. Entry is free.

Ey! Iran is touring New Zealand courtesy of Exhibition Services and Gold Coast City Art Gallery.

For more information contact:
Kate Wells, curator Lopdell House Gallery 09 817 8087 x205 curator@lopdell.org.nz
Mark Roach, Exhibition Services 04 934 5612 artwork@paradise.net.nz

03/06/08