This exhibition explores the deep roots of 'jin, jiyan, azadî' (woman, life, freedom), a movement spreading through the Middle East, from the Kurdish female fighters in Rojava to the streets of Tehran. It highlights individuals carrying the fire of their revolutions and features artists who uniquely interpret this ongoing actuality.
The exhibition 'The Fire in Their Eyes' delves into the profound origins and pervasiveness of the 'jin, jiyan, azadî' (woman, life, freedom) philosophy, which resonates across the Middle East. The exhibition charts a course through the region, from the female fighters in Rojava (Northern Syria) to the streets of Tehran, focusing on individuals who embody the spirit of their revolutions.
Central to the exhibition is the work of artists who offer unique interpretations of this persistent contemporary reality. Beri Shalmashi, a filmmaker and prominent voice on Kurdistan and Iran in Dutch media, curates this selection. She states that the exhibition is a glimpse into a world where people are compelled to be resilient, driven by a deep-seated desire for gentleness. The exhibition features work from a diverse group of artists including Alex Kemman, Amir Komelizadeh, Beena Nouri, Berivan Cemal, Hawre Khalid, Katayoon Valamanesh, Lizzy Zaanen, Marinoosh Shirazi, Maryam Salih, Mostafa Heravi, Nasser Ghazizadeh, Nuveen Barwari, Raz Xaidan, Sara Emami, Sam Ghobadzadeh, Sonja Hamad, Tina Farifteh, Vian K. Hussein, and Vida Kashani.