Cutting the Ropes: "Zan, Zendegi, Azadi." Translation: women, life, freedom.

"I am cutting the ropes that you have made from my hair to subject me to your will and deprive me of my freedom."

For Jina Amini, the 168 Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school girls, the courageous women of Iran and all who continue to fight for fundamental human rights and global liberation.

A few years later after the publishing of this series in 2023, I had a beautiful conversation with a dear friend who is of Iranian and Palestinian descent. I learned that the Iranian flag depicted in these images, although originally thought to represent a courageous symbol of opposition to the Islamic Republic, does not accurately represent all Iranians, or even the majority. Although intentions we’re well, I do wish to speak on the fact that life under the Pahlavi dynasty did not mean Iran was free. A free Iran means freedom for all, not just a few. With the devastating 2026 US/Israeli war on Iran, this series was resurfaced. As I write this, I cannot help but think about the 168 Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school girls who were stripped from their right to live by a US military strike. Since I myself am not Iranian, I cannot pretend to know or come close to understanding the pain Iranians feel, nor do I wish to speak over the Iranian experience. My hope for this series, with this new understanding, is to honor the lives of all Iranian girls and women. Those who we have lost, and those who are still fighting for their rights today.

Zan, Zendegi, Azadi.