# Wiki Bios

## Wiki Bio 3

Shirin Aliabadi 10 March 1973 -> 1 October 2018

### biography

- Born in Tehran, Iran
- Mentored by older borther
- Raised in rich environment until Iranian Revolution, went abroad to study art
  history at University of Paris
- Commuted between Paris and Tehran, although primarily based in Tehran
- Exhibited worldwide
- Art is part of several notable collections (Deutsche Bank in Germany, Bristol
  City Museum and Art Gallery, Farjam Collection in Dubai)
- Passed away in Tehran after battling cancer

### artwork

- Delves into conflicting influences on young urban Iranian women
- Tension between traditional values, religious restrictions, pervasive impact
  of globalized Western culture
- Photographic series _Girls in Cars_, women riding in cars, ready to party
    - Illustrates contradiction between Iranian restrictions and youthful women
      who were engaging with Western style traditions
- _Operation Supermarket_, criticized failed capitalism and consumerism
    - Common household goods to question and critique societal values and
      economic systems
- _Miss Hybrid_ presents young Iranian women in unconventional and striking
  ways, features women with bleached blonde hair, blue contacts, flawless
  makeup, in contrast with traditional view of Muslim women.

### bio

Shirin Aliabadi was a contemporary Iranian artist. Born on March 10th, 1973 in
Tehran, Iran, she was exposed to a rich environment of art and culture while
growing up, until the Iranian Revolution left both of her parents jobless.
However, they still managed to send her overseas where she obtained a degree in
art history at the University of Paris.

Aliabadi was primarily based in Tehran but frequently commuted to Paris. Her
artwork spans both photographs and drawings and has been exhibited worldwide,
including in collections in Germany, Dubai, and France. A prevalent theme in
her artwork is the contrast between the traditional view held in the West of
muslim women and the reality around her in Iran. Her most famous works, _Girls
in Cars_, and _Miss Hybrid_, both portrayed Iranian women in unconventional
ways that were in contradiction with the traditional culture and values muslim
women are often associated with. Women were depicted with bleached blonde hair,
flawless makeup, and heading to parties in cars. Aliabadi's artwork highlighted
the social and cultural structures in Iranian society and the shifts happening
alongside the proliferation of Western culture.

Aliabadi passed away in 2018 at the age of 45 after battling cancer.