Art Behind Bars: Prison Art by Soudabeh Ardavan 1 Favorite 

Practitioner: 

Date: 

Nov 30 1985

Location: 

Iran

Charged with participating in demonstrations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Soudabeh Ardavan was held for eight years (1981-1989) in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison. She found sanity and solace through the forbidden activities of drawing and painting, secretly producing paint from flower petals and tea, using brushes made from toothpicks and human hair.

Although in small scales and made of simple materials, Ardavan's artworks vividly depict everyday life in prison. They record a period of time that would never be erased from her memory. Opposite to "scar art", however, they express a rather positive message.

Now a longtime resident of Sweden, Ardavan continues to paint and has exhibited around the world.

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