A self-taught artist is set to host an empowering exhibition to raise awareness for the struggles of women and girls in Iran.

Nash Riazi, a Worcester-based artist originally from the Middle Eastern country, will host the exhibition, titled 'EmpowerHer: A Celebration of Female Strength and Liberation', from Saturday (February 10) until Friday, February 16 at the 'Art is Ar't The Gallery' in the Crowngate Centre.

Visitors can meet and greet the artist between 11am and 3pm each day at the exhibition.

 

 

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Speaking on her intended impact, Ms Riazi said: "The problems of women’s lack of freedoms are not only related to Iran.

"This includes the whole Middle East and many parts of Africa.

"The motive of my exhibition is primarily about highlighting the plight of Iranian women, but my paintings are about all oppressed women and girls everywhere."

Ms Riazi has been painting for more than 30 years, beginning with realist painting before moving into abstract art after her move to the UK in 2004.

Events in Iran in 2022, where a young lady died in police custody for wearing her hijab incorrectly, ignited a passion within Ms Riazi, which laid the foundations for her exhibition.

She created a series of abstracted female figurative artworks to celebrate the strengths of women and girls in the face of sexism, misogyny, and oppression.

Her outreach has gone beyond Worcester and the UK.

In June 2023, she was invited to paint live on stage during the "Women-Life-Freedom" concert by Afghan singer, Farhad Darya, in Central Hall, Westminster.

She also painted a portrait of an Afghan woman killed in a Taliban suicide attack, which was exhibited for sale in Frankfurt with the proceeds going to help the people of the war-torn country.

She participated in the 'Women in the Middle East' event at Oxford University in July 2022 and Manchester University in August 2022, which featured exhibitions and discussions from 30 artists, including Ms Niazi.

She is also involved with the community charity JOY - Wellbeing Support for Women in Worcestershire, contributing her works to its book 'Unheard Voices: Our Journey To Joy'.