Walking through the Yellow Gallery in the Central branch of the Indianapolis Public Library, visitors can find powerful, haunting works of art showcasing the struggle for democracy and women’s rights in Iran. One painting, “Our Eyes For Freedom,” depicts the all-too-common practice of Iranian police shooting protesters in the eyes with pellet guns. Another shows young girls walking into school with gas masks in their backpacks — a defense against an onslaught of toxic gas being funneled into girls’ schools.
In the center of the exhibit, visitors can see a handmade dress featuring Iranian flags and the names of some of the thousands of people who have been killed by the Iranian regime since 2019 alone.
While this artwork may be difficult to look at, it’s an important reminder that freedom isn’t free.
That’s the message organizers Parisa Kay and Hassan Mihankhah hope people walk away with. Now through Jan. 22, visitors can see artwork from artists from Iran bringing attention to the dangers that come with protesting the Islamic Republic of Iran. A reception on Jan. 13 provides the public an opportunity to ask questions about the works and the protests. While Kay, a fashion designer, made the dress featured in the gallery, many of the artists remain anonymous.
“It’s normal for artists to want to be well-known and famous,” Kay said. “But in Iran, with this protest art, you cannot show these or have an exhibition. Some (artists) are arrested, tortured or even executed just for showing their art. … So, we can show (their) art here by not putting their name on it, for their safety.”
Along with the gallery, the library has a list of resources to provide more context on the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. This includes memoirs and texts on Iranian history and narratives from Iranians. Many of these books can be found in the “Iran in Revolt” book display in the atrium of the Central branch. Sakura Fuqua, immigrant outreach program specialist for the Indianapolis Public Library, said the display has sparked conversation among the public and library staff about the movement in Iran.
Kay and Mihankhah have been advocating for the people of Iran from Indianapolis for the better part of the last decade. The pair, who immigrated to America from Iran in 1994 and 1976 respectively, have been holding small rallies and protests in downtown Indianapolis and Carmel for eight years. Their advocacy led to the 2022 Indiana Senate Resolution showing solidarity with the women of Iran, and they have made frequent visits to the United States Senate and House of Representative offices urging officials to stand up for the people of Iran.
It was the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, following her arrest by the Guidance Patrol — or morality police — in Iran’s capital that led more and more people to join the pair in downtown Indianapolis. The 22-year-old was reportedly beaten to death by the Guidance Patrol, a claim they deny, after being arrested for not wearing a hijab in public. The growing protests in Indianapolis were a reflection of the mass protests happening nearly 7,000 miles away in Iran, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of protesters and the arrests of many more.
With the threat of imprisonment or death, the protests in Iran slowly died down. Mihankhah and Kay, however, intend to keep sharing their stories.
“If this gets some word out, we can build on this and maybe take the exhibit to other locations,” Mihankhah said. “Regardless, the road will continue for me. My hope in my lifetime is to see democracy come to Iran. If I don’t see it, the day they put me in the grave, I’m not going to be forsaken or sad; I’ve done my part to get the word out and to get rid of the regime.”
For Kay, the stories depicted in the exhibit hit close to home. She was arrested twice by the morality police. At 16, she was arrested and received numerous lashes for a bit of hair showing from under her headscarf. Later, she spent two days in police custody for wearing lipstick in public.
“I want people to see how brutal (this) regime is,” Kay said. “And to have more appreciation for what we have here, and the freedom we have. To me, as a fashion designer, I am more into politics for Iran now than fashion, because without being a fashionista, you can live, but without freedom of speech, there is no life.”
The reception for “Iran in Revolt” will take place on Jan. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Yellow Gallery at the Indianapolis Public Library, 40 E. St. Claire St. For more information, click here.
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