Untitled (Chest) — from Unveiling series

A black and white photographic print from 1993 depicts the upper torso and neck of an individual, with the head cropped out of view. The skin of the chest and neck is densely covered with calligraphic Farsi text, rendered in varying sizes and densities. Some characters are bold and large, forming prominent visual elements across the chest, while smaller script covers the skin of the neck and upper chest, creating a texture that integrates with the photographic surface. The artwork is part of the "Unveiling" series, which explores the politics of women's lives in Islamic countries. This series is conceptually linked to Neshat's broader "Women of Allah" series (1993-1997), which investigates the interconnectedness of women's bodies and political ideology. The Farsi calligraphy, often handwritten by the artist, is applied as a silkscreen layer over the photographic image. The text frequently incorporates poetry from Iranian poets, such as Forough Farrokhzad, whose work often addresses themes of female sensuality and independence. By overlaying the body with text, the artwork explores the complexities of identity, expression, and the societal narratives inscribed upon the female form within specific cultural contexts.