DERBY.- FORMAT International Photography Festival is back at QUAD, Derby for off-year exhibitions including Present Perfect? Contemporary Photography from Iran exhibition in QUAD extra Gallery Spaces from 16th March until 18th May 2014.

Present Perfect? Contemporary Photography from Iran is an exhibition of contemporary photography by Iranian artists whose work examines modern-day Iran. Through the creative minds and voices of these photographers Iran’s histories and heritage, political and cultural systems, gender, cultural identity and everyday life are explored and discussed. These original, compelling and exciting works help to break down a perceptual barrier, revealing the frankness, sensitivity and occasional playfulness of a public and private realm previously unseen, offering an unique look into the complex relationship between art, politics and everyday life in Iran.

FORMAT and QUAD believe the time is right for sharing and exchanging experiences with this hugely important and culturally significant country. Through the work presented by these emerging artists, the viewer is offered a unique insight into the lives and mindsets of these contemporary and progressive Iranian individuals; from the shared experiences of Mohsen Yazipour’s obligatory military service and the ever-present remembrance of Iran’s tumultuous recent history of war and revolution, and of those who lost their lives during, in Parham Taghioff’s Bookends and Saba Alizadeh’s Light and Soil; to Kiana Hayeri’s ‘unveiling’ of the private lives of young Iranian women who disobey and challenge authority, risking fines, prison or worse, in a bid to express themselves; and the subtle, but delightful study into individualism in Morteza Khaki’s Purse Snatching. Present Perfect? Contemporary Photography from Iran is co-curated by Michael Sargeant and Nottingham/London based Guest Curator Armindokht Shooshtari. Part of QUAD’s curatorial mentoring programme which offers practice based placements for talented new curators.

Present Perfect? Contemporary Photography from Iran exhibiting artists are: Milad Houmandzadeh, Mohsen Yazipour, Morteza Khaki, Morvarid K, Parham Taghioff, Keivan Mousavi Aghdam, Mehrdad Naraghi, Saba Alizadeh & Kiana Hayeri.