In 2001 I began traveling to Iran. Leaving an easy life in Marin to report on my father’s complex homeland, I quickly understood there was a key essential ingredient missing from my journalism. Photos.
I could write a story, but without images to animate the ideas, characters and social trends I was documenting, it would be a challenge for readers to feel the places and people I was attempting to explain to them.
That might be true from anywhere, but even more so from Iran, one of the most unique, and unfortunately deeply misunderstood, countries in the world.
After an exhaustive search I discovered the work of Yalda Moaiery, whose photography and desire to share it with the world behind Iran’s borders were ahead of their time.
Now more than two decades laters, Yalda has arrived to the U.S. after enduring several months in prison — her sixth stint behind bars — for photographing the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. She became one of the premier documentary Iranian photographer, taking many of the most iconic images of recent times.
Her first solo exhibition, at the Sausalito Center for the Arts, will run from July 10-28. I will return to the Bay for the July 13 launch as well as a panel discussion on site at the exhibition on July 14. The timing of the exhibition happens to coincide with the 10th anniversary of my detention in Tehran; a good time to come home.
Jason Rezaian is an Iranian-American journalist from Marin who served as Tehran bureau chief for The Washington Post.
Standing in the Dust: The Photography of Yalda Moaiery
“A woman secretly enjoying the beach at the Caspian Sea in the northern province of Mazandaran. July 12th, 2006. Inside Iran, women do not have the right to use the beaches and enjoy the water freely without observing the Islamic dress code (hijab).” Photography: One of 12, signed edition.
– Moaiery
“Two young girls who were arrested by the morality police for not observing the Islamic dress code (hijab) are screaming while getting ready to be transported to the station. Every year, the Iranian authorities, with a plan known as the “guidance patrol”, send thousands of women to prisons and detention centers for not observing the government’s required dress code.” April 2007. Photography: One of 12, signed edition.
– Moaiery
“A girl watches the women’s athletics competition from the stands of Azadi Stadium in Tehran. Azadi Stadium is the biggest sports stadium in Iran, where women are not allowed to attend 2005.” Photography: One of 12, signed edition.
– Moaiery
“Women are chanting during the first “Friday Prayer” on July 17th, 2009 lead by Hashemi Rafsanjani after the Election fraud protests. After the 2009 elections in Iran, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won, the suspicion of fraud grew among the people, and many did not accept the results of the elections. Massive protests took place in Iran and hundreds were killed.” Photography: One of 12, signed edition.
– Moaiery
“A Basiji woman is shooting in a training exercise in the east of Tehran. This paramilitary volunteer militia (Basij) exercise was held in Rasul Akram camp outside of Tehran to train on how to deal with protesters.” October 8th, 2008. Photography: One of 12, signed edition.
– Moaiery
“An Iranian model posing in the first Islamic fashion show in Tehran. The government of the Islamic Republic tries to encourage women to wear Islamic garb through showcasing diversity in different religious apparel.” February 21st, 2005. Photography: One of 12, signed edition.
– Moaiery
