Kaveh Golestan 1950-2003

Kunsthal Rotterdam, in collaboration with the Prince Claus Fund, presents a selection of  probing black-and-white photographs from the extensive archives of Kaveh Golestan (1950-2003). Around the world, people have come to know Iran through Golestan's photos. In international newspapers and magazines his images have kept us informed about the revolution in Iran and the return to power of the Ayatollah Khomeini, the war between Iran and Iraq and the Kurdish liberation struggle. But in spite of political upheaval, oppression and censure, Golestan continued to live in his country of birth.

Truth

Golestan was an eyewitness to many important political events. During the Iranian Revolution (1978-80) he was right there on the street in the middle of protesting crowds: burning cars, the Shah's army and demonstrators throwing stones were just a few metres away. The unrest and anger are palpable; you can almost hear the noise. Just as you can almost feel the grief of the mourning women bending over the victims. He reported on the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88) and the Kurdish liberation struggle through photographs that were often taken while the fighting was going on or shortly after. A woman holding a machine gun stands on top of a tank, an older man lost in thought leans on his gun and smokes a cigarette. Golestan's pictures show the recent history of a remarkable and complex country.