Artist Spotlight on Labkhand (Labbie)Olfatmanesh

Photo Credit: Nousha Salimi

The death of Mahsa Amini, and many others, has compelled generations of women to speak out; many have joined in, including men, young and old, because they know that women's equality is crucial for freedom in any society.

As has been seen with protests unfolding over the past two months, the struggle for equality remains in Iran.

This month's spotlight is on Labkhand Olfatmanesh, a multidisciplinary artist examining feminism, race, and isolation. Her works explore how these forces take a dual shape as an immigrant to the United States and in her home country of Iran based in Los Angeles. Labbie gives a testimony that strikes and moves anyone about the current crisis happening in Iran and places like Iran with how the treatment of women affects the world. 

Here are Labbie’s words on a crisis that affects us all.

Zan. Zendegi. Azadi.

Jin, Jiyan, Azadi.

Woman, Life, Freedom.

I am moved by my Iranian sisterhood who are leading the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement by courageously demonstrating peacefully for their fundamental human rights.  For decades, gender inequality and discrimination against women have been legally enshrined in Iran. 

On 16 September 2022, a 22-year-old Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini, also known as Jina Amini, was murdered by the religious morality police of Iran's government because she was not wearing a hijab in accordance with the Iranian government's interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. After the death of Mahsa Amini, a feminist revolution erupted overnight triggering worldwide condemnation and putting pressure on the Iranian regime.  Many women took off their headscarves as a sign of protest against Iran’s compulsory hijab policy, waving them in the air, shouting “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. “The protests began out of solidarity with Jina’s family but soon became a resistance movement against the government's mandatory wearing of the hijab and a stand against gender segregation in Iran. 

The first time I experienced a strictly enforced dress code that included completely covering my head with a black scarf was very confusing.  I was seven years old and just starting elementary school.  Normally a great time for young girls growing up, I was taken through a maze of rules and black clothing I would wear for the next two decades.  I went from this funny little girl with long hair and bangs who loved to dress up to a frowning mess of eyebrows peering out of this sticky cotton black curtain.  

After leaving Iran in 2003, a huge relief came over me as I hoped to get a break in the new world and not have to be constantly reminded of my prior black attire.  But its haunting memory followed me, and I felt a constant need to explain my hijab history, which now was part of me.  Even now, with no obligation to cover, that black wispy cotton that once was a second outfit over my real clothing is hard to discard. 

For more information about Labkhand’s artwork, please visit her site and also follow her on Instagram. You can also find her interview with the magazine here.