Profile
Newsha Tavakolian is a photographer and visual artist based in Iran. Newsha is a self-taught photographer who combines photojournalism and art to offer new insights into the lived experience of people in Iran and the wider Middle East region. One of the first professional female photojournalists in Iran, her work ranges from bold reportage of political events to sensitive portraits and evocative series on subjects such as the insecurity of middle-class youth, female Kurdish fighters or the impact of sanctions on individual lives.Tavakolian's major projects include "Listen" and "Blank Pages of an Iranian Photo Album," which have been internationally acclaimed for their intimate portrayal of forbidden family life in Iran. Her exhibitions have spanned globally, featuring in the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Thomas Erben Gallery in New York. Despite her focus on local narratives, Tavakolian’s impact is widely recognized, as she provides a voice to underrepresented communities, pushing for societal change through her artistic expressions.
