A set of three photographs entitled Maria by Iranian artist Newsha Tavakolian depict an Iranian man who has had a sex change operation to become a woman. It was these photographs that caused the greatest stir when the exhibition Iran Inside Out, now showing in Dubai, was exhibited at the Chelsea Art Museum in New York.  Whilst homosexuality is a crime and is forbidden in many Islamic countries, including Iran, sex change operations are condoned by Shi'a thinkers since it allows homosexual men and women to change their genders and enter heterosexual relationships.  Indeed, the State will fund part of the cost of the operation.

This fascinating exhibition focuses on a group of Iranian artists, some of whom still live in Iran and others who are now based elsewhere in the world following the Iranian Diaspora of the late 1970s.  It considers the influences of the homeland and the diaspora on the artistic language of these contemporary Iranian artists.  Interestingly, a theme that becomes apparent is that those artists who currently live out of Iran focus heavily on the influence, design and mythology of Iranian culture and history, whilst those who still live in the country do not include these references but focus on the current situations of politics and social reality.

Whilst Farhad Moshiri is considered the king of 'Pop' in Iranian contemporary art, his simple style conveys a great depth of commentary about Iranian history and the current political, economic and social situation of Iran today. The old Iranian folk-tale of the man and his donkey (Crying Donkey, 2007) resonates on many levels.  In Operation Supermarket 2009, Moshiri collaborates with his partner Shirin Aliabadi and consumer objects of the Western world become agents for Capitalist change in the Middle East.  Additionally, the artists take a jab at nationalism and contemporary politics by adding double entendre slogans onto their products.

The Pattern Series, 2007, by Tehran born Nazgol Ansarinia clearly refers to the textile heritage of the Persian region.  From a distance this ink drawing has the decorative appeal of a beautiful Iranian rug, whilst close up the details is cleverly composed of drawings inspired by everyday objects, situations and people.

Iran Inside Out,The Farjam Collection, DIFC, Dubai March 15 - June 15, 2010