Untitled (Mother and Son) 1995

Curator: Shirin Neshat's arresting gelatin silver print, "Untitled (Mother and Son)," created in 1995, confronts us directly. The composition alone creates an immediate tension, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely. The stark black and white, combined with the direct gazes, evokes a profound sense of solemnity and almost stoic determination. The contrast feels very intentional. Curator: Indeed. Neshat's work frequently delves into the complexities of identity within the context of Iranian culture, often challenging Western perceptions. Note the intricate calligraphic patterns adorning the mother's veil. What springs to mind for you? Editor: The script itself becomes a symbol. Layered meaning—protection, perhaps, but also a clear marker of cultural and religious identity, maybe a constraint. And positioned at the bottom, almost casually leaning, is what appears to be a firearm. Curator: The gun throws everything into stark relief, doesn't it? Here is a tension—domesticity and danger—and questions around power, resistance, and survival, all colliding. Editor: Right. Mother and child almost sheltered by text but overshadowed by potential conflict. It echoes ancient visual devices like the Madonna of Mercy – the sheltering cloak a recurring image over millennia but now juxtaposed against an implicit threat of violence. Is that a reflection on cultural preservation through active struggle? Curator: Neshat avoids offering easy answers, intentionally prompting a multiplicity of readings. Her personal exile, no doubt, further complicated these themes. Think about the socio-political situation when this photo was taken; her exile meant that this photograph gained a unique level of impact in the West. Editor: The quiet intensity captured in this work remains potent. A very visceral image that sparks deep thinking regarding cultural clashes and identity struggles in the 1990s. Curator: Yes, and it resonates today as a reflection on political power, even within family and motherhood. Editor: Definitely, a strong and stark image!