Iranian photographer Forough Yavari has secured her second victory in the International Portrait Photographer of the Year competition. She clinched the prestigious title with her captivating series named 'Salvation,' inspired by Langston Hughes' poetry during the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement. Yavari's photographs skillfully portray the beauty of Black women, enriched by the addition of hand-crafted 24K gold pigment.
Yavari, hailing from Iran and deeply influenced by her heritage, expressed her inspiration from Langston Hughes' emphasis on dance and blues as symbols of freedom and solitude. This achievement marks her second win in the competition.
Yavari's artistic journey began in Iran during the tumultuous Iranian Revolution, where she later discovered her passion for photography while modeling for a photography student. After moving to Australia in 2011, she established herself as a prominent fine art portrait and fashion photographer, drawing on her personal experiences as a woman from the Middle East. Her concerns for women's issues are evident in her series 'Revision of Portraits' and 'Eternal Icons,' showcased in exhibitions held in Iran and Australia.
Selena Mattei