Laleh Sherkat: Photographing Iran, 1984 - 1993 “Masked Women”

Courtesy of Laleh Sherkat 

A person with dark skin and traditional clothing sitting in a small space, holding a flower, with a large steering wheel mounted on the wall above them. The person's face is partially covered with fabric, and they are looking at the camera.

Black and white portrait photograph of a woman seated in the doorway of a boat's cabin. She sits on the floor, leaning against the right side of the doorframe, entirely covered in a mix of a polka-dot dress and a plain headcloth headdress. Her posture is relaxed but reserved. She wears a mask that conceals most of her face, revealing only her eyes and chin. Behind her, a ship’s steering wheel is mounted on the wooden wall, marking the interior space as the boat’s control area.

Two women wearing patterned headscarves and face masks, sitting side by side indoors with newspaper clippings on the wall behind them.

Black and white landscape photograph of a close-up of two women standing outdoors in daylight. The background includes a wall with posters or faded images. Both women are fully covered in patterned headdresses that drape over their shoulders and bodies. One woman stands slightly in front of the other. They both wear face masks that conceal nearly all their facial features, revealing only their eyes through narrow slits.

Black and white photo of a person wearing a mask and a head covering, leaning against a stone wall in an alleyway.

Black and white portrait photograph featuring a close-up of a woman standing outdoors in partial shade. She is dressed entirely in black, with a long dress and headdress that covers her fully. Her face is also concealed by a mask, leaving only her eyes and chin visible. She leans against a textured stone wall, partially in shadow, while soft daylight highlights the background architecture of stone walls and a doorway.

A woman with a headscarf and glasses, wearing a patterned dress, is reaching up to grab a hold of a rock climbing wall with her left hand, while her right hand holds onto the side of the wall.

Black and white portrait photograph of a close-up of a woman in front of a large wooden door. She wears a patterned dress and a dark headdress that drapes over her shoulders and down her back. She also wears rings and bracelets, as well as a mask that covers her face except for her eyes and chin. She reaches up with her right hand to grasp a round doorknob positioned just above her head, while she holds the door’s vertical rail with her left.