Iranian self taught artist Afsoongar (b.1999), which translates to a charmer or enchanter in Farsi, presents glimpses of a femme fatale as an alter-ego. Through this character, she creates a counter-narrative that challenges conventional belief systems. Her work reflects the effort to provoke taboo-breaking ideas, portraying a valiant, rebellious figure mirrored in her surroundings.
Afsoongar’s portrayal of this rebellious figure is closely intertwined with the natural world, where strength and vulnerability coexist. Trees, much like women, are symbols of resilience—fragile yet essential, often overlooked or taken for granted. Just as nature endures damage and finds a way to regenerate, Afsoongar’s woman reconnects with her roots, rebuilds herself, and inspires others through her unwavering perseverance. Her scars serve as a testament to her enduring power and indomitable spirit.
Nature provides the setting for her bare, unprotected figures, who exist in harmony with its raw, untamed forces. The naked human body, without any added protection, emphasizes the harmony between vulnerability and strength. This imagery also recalls Eve from Christian culture, but notably without the fig leaf, signaling a bold reimagining of womanhood and the concept of original sin. The connection to nature, paired with the image of a bold and seductive Persian woman, captures the essence of empowerment that Iranian women embodied before being stifled by patriarchy and religious taboos.
Affsoongar (Tehran, Iran) is a painter and photographer based
in Tehran.