Photo © Lukasz Gniadek
Talent of the Year 2020 - NOMINEE: Lukasz Gniadek
Iran in 40 images
Support this photographer - share this work on Facebook.
The Islamic Revolution and the occupation of the American embassy have made Iran
a country permanently isolated in various fields by the majority of the international community. Despite the passage of four decades since those events, this situation has not changed fundamentally. Many myths and stereotypes have arisen around Iran during this time, which only deepen the state of isolation. This is one of the reasons why so few people decide to go to Iran, although you can easily get there. I was intrigued by this, I went on a trip to this country, and what I saw in no way matched the common perception.
My work is an attempt to overturn the image of Iran which is present in this common approach and to redefine its visual identity. To break visual stereotypes I often use associations with images recognized in the context of other places and other cultures. In particular, references to American road photography are strongly present here.
My work is more than a play with stereotypes however, because these images are primarily
a look at contemporary Iran and its identity.
The title 40 images refer to 40 years that have passed since the Islamic revolution.
My submission is a part of the bigger work. The work is still in progress.
About author:
Lukasz Gniadek is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Poznan with a Master’s degree in Photography. Prior to this he studied Philosophy at the Cardinal Wyszynski University in Warsaw. He has taken part in the Krakow Photomonth Festival, the TIFF Festival as well as many other exhibitions. He is currently completing a PhD which addresses the visual/cultural filtering mechanism and the photographer’s relationship to imagery. His artistic work mainly deals with documentary photography in a wider context and also photo-publishing. In 2014 his book Route 66 PL received acclaim at the Lodz Photofestival. From 2012 to 2015 he was the driving force behind Galeria 27 - a gallery showcasing contemporary Polish photography.
a country permanently isolated in various fields by the majority of the international community. Despite the passage of four decades since those events, this situation has not changed fundamentally. Many myths and stereotypes have arisen around Iran during this time, which only deepen the state of isolation. This is one of the reasons why so few people decide to go to Iran, although you can easily get there. I was intrigued by this, I went on a trip to this country, and what I saw in no way matched the common perception.
My work is an attempt to overturn the image of Iran which is present in this common approach and to redefine its visual identity. To break visual stereotypes I often use associations with images recognized in the context of other places and other cultures. In particular, references to American road photography are strongly present here.
My work is more than a play with stereotypes however, because these images are primarily
a look at contemporary Iran and its identity.
The title 40 images refer to 40 years that have passed since the Islamic revolution.
My submission is a part of the bigger work. The work is still in progress.
About author:
Lukasz Gniadek is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Poznan with a Master’s degree in Photography. Prior to this he studied Philosophy at the Cardinal Wyszynski University in Warsaw. He has taken part in the Krakow Photomonth Festival, the TIFF Festival as well as many other exhibitions. He is currently completing a PhD which addresses the visual/cultural filtering mechanism and the photographer’s relationship to imagery. His artistic work mainly deals with documentary photography in a wider context and also photo-publishing. In 2014 his book Route 66 PL received acclaim at the Lodz Photofestival. From 2012 to 2015 he was the driving force behind Galeria 27 - a gallery showcasing contemporary Polish photography.