Newsha Tavakolian

Newsha Tavakolian is an Iranian photojournalist and artist renowned for her powerful and evocative work capturing the complexities of life in Iran and the broader Middle East. Her powerful images have graced the pages of Time magazine, Newsweek, Stern, Le Figaro, Colors, The New York Times Magazine, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, NRC Handelsblad, and National Geographic.

Biography of Newsha Tavakolian

Newsha Tavakolian, a native of Tehran, Iran, discovered her passion for photography at a young age. At the age of 16, she embarked on a transformative journey by enrolling in a six-month photography course. Following her training, Tavakolian secured a position at Zan, a women's daily newspaper, where she began honing her skills and gaining firsthand experience in the world of photojournalism.

During the tumultuous events of the July 1999 student uprising in Iran, Newsha Tavakolian fearlessly documented the unfolding events.

Following the tumultuous aftermath of Iran's presidential election in 2009, Newsha Tavakolian faced significant challenges and was compelled to take a hiatus from her photojournalistic work. The political and social chaos forced her to pause her role as a frontline documenter of events in Iran. During this period, Tavakolian redirected her creative energy toward other projects that allowed her to explore different facets of photography. 

In 2001, Newsha Tavakolian embarked on a new chapter in her career when she joined Polaris Images, focusing on covering stories within Iran. In 2004, she began freelancing and collaborated with esteemed publications such as The Times.

In June 2015, Newsha Tavakolian achieved a significant milestone in her career by becoming a nominee member of Magnum Photos, a prestigious international photography collective.

In 2019, Tavakolian's talent and dedication faced a challenging setback when the Iranian authorities barred her from working within the country. 

Photography style of Newsha Tavakolian

Newsha Tavakolian's body of work encompasses various compelling themes, shedding light on the lives of women, her friends, and her neighbors in Iran. Through her photographs, she delves into the evolving roles of women, their resilience in overcoming gender-based restrictions, and challenges the stereotypes perpetuated by Western media.

Newsha Tavakolian's artistic endeavors are driven by a deliberate intention to create work that transcends Western influence and is not primarily intended for Western audiences. Her unwavering focus is to offer a genuine and personal representation of Iran, illuminating the multifaceted aspects of its society and culture.

Newsha Tavakolian has fearlessly embarked on various controversial projects within the Islamic world, using her photography to challenge social and cultural restrictions. One notable project, titled "Listen," explores the experiences of women singers who face limitations imposed by Islamic regulations since the 1979 revolution in Iran.

"Listen" shines a light on the plight of these talented women who are prohibited from performing solo or releasing their own CDs due to restrictive cultural and religious norms. Tavakolian's project not only captures their struggle but also showcases their resilience and passion for music.

In her work, Tavakolian goes beyond capturing mere portraits. She creates potential CD covers for these female Muslim singers, accompanying them with powerful portraits that capture their spirit and determination. 

Exhibitions of Newsha Tavakolian

In her remarkable series, "Blank Pages of an Iranian Photo Album," Newsha Tavakolian embarked on a unique endeavor to update and reimagine the familial and generational histories captured in the childhood snapshots of her friends and neighbors. Recognizing the absence of new photographs in these albums beyond a certain point in adolescence, Tavakolian set out to fill the blank pages and create a more comprehensive visual narrative.

These new images were captured in locations that held symbolic significance, reflecting the identities and desires of the individuals portrayed.

The collaboration with her subjects allowed for a more nuanced representation, challenging the simplistic and often distorted narratives that tend to prevail in depictions of Iran.

Tavakolian's body of work in "Blank Pages of an Iranian Photo Album" defies the prevailing extremes that dominate the popular perception of Iran. She avoids presenting her subjects as mere propagandistic representations of the Iranian state or as exoticized and repressed figures, as often portrayed in Western media.

While primarily focused on portraits, Tavakolian incorporates elements of Iran's political context within the settings of her photographs.

Look

In her latest series, aptly titled "Look," Newsha Tavakolian presents a collection of staged, large-scale photographs that showcase solitary individuals framed against the backdrop of high-rise buildings seen through windows.

Recognition in International Collections

Newsha Tavakolian's exceptional body of work has gained widespread acclaim, earning its place in the private collections of esteemed international institutions. Her evocative photographs have found a home in prestigious venues such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the British Museum, and others.

Newsha Tavakolian's exceptional contributions to the field of photojournalism have earned her esteemed accolades and recognition. In 2014, she was honored as the fifth Laureate of the Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award. Also, she was the principle laureate of the 2015 Prince Claus Award.