A Passing Face

The Paradoxical Artist

Azadeh Etebarian juxtaposes universally recognised Western characters with Eastern elements

Rohit Chawla | 22 Feb, 2018

Steve McCurry’s most famous photograph even today is the Afghan Girl, published in 1985. When I first noticed Azadeh Etebarian at a dance festival in Goa, I was immediately reminded of Sharbat Gula. She had the same searing eyes and angular jaw line. The black shawl around her only added to her enigma. An ‘Iranian paradoxical artist’, Azadeh juxtaposes universally recognised Western characters with Eastern elements. She is currently working on a new art collection on the theme of utopia. Her work moves away from the Western version of the Orient and highlights the role of women in contemporary Iranian society.