Oxford-Middle Eastern Art Exhibition

The Oxford University Persian Society is excited to announce that it has come together with the University of Manchester Persian Society to create the first Oxford-Middle Eastern Art Exhibition. We are delighted to invite you to join us on Friday 15thJuly at 6:30pm at the Oxford Barn Gallery to celebrate "The Voice of Women in Middle East through Art." You will be able to view stunning artwork sent to Oxford from leading artists all around the world, around the theme of "Women in Middle Eastern Society: an exhibition devoted to the works of Middle Eastern artists.” This promises to be a fantastic event celebrating the arts, Middle Eastern culture and the role of women in our societies, and the exhibition includes a drinks reception and live Persian Instrumental Music by Peyman Heydarian (پیمانحیدریان). Dr Heydarian is a renowned award-winning composer, musical scientist and santur performer. As a computer scientist and musicologist, he adopted innovative tuning systems and performance techniques to play a multi-ethnic repertoire on the Iranian santur (Hammered Dulcimer). He has famously developed computer algorithms for the analysis of Persian musical signals. He has toured the world with a multi-ethnic programme "The Voice of Santur", performing Persian, Kurdish, Greek, Armenian, Turkish and Ceilidh (Scottish & Irish) music. Please register here as spaces for the performance are limited. Our event highlights the artwork and achievements of Middle Eastern artists and creates a safe space to discuss pertinent topics in art, such as the importance of hearing the voices of women in our societies, challenging the world perspective around the voices of women in the Middle East and also provide insights into what it means to be an artist in such cultures. This event is of fundamental importance as historically many of the exchanges around philosophy, religion, politics, and war, in the region were dominated by men (with some notable exceptions!). We want to provide a thought provoking setting to champion women in the Middle East and advocate for them to have a direct voice on such critically influential matters that affect the foundations of their societies. At this exhibition, we hope to take one step forward to changing the historic status-quo by giving women from the region a greater voice through their art. To understand the real situation of Women in the Middle East, we must take a Middle Eastern perspective and this exhibition is doing precisely that. It will display different works from Middle Eastern artists, illuminating the social position of women from a perspective that is so often absent in contemporary debates. To allow us to hear their voices through their artwork, please join us to celebrate on Friday 15th of July 2022 from 6.30pm to 10pm, at Oxford Barn Gallery.