This marks the first time that Vertigo will host a solo exhibition. Rohani was given the freedom to shape it as he saw fit. As of next week, fifteen colorful female forms will be on display at the top of the stairwell: the “Descendants of Venus”. For both the figures and the name of the exhibition, the student drew inspiration from the Venus of Willendorf, a small female figurine dating back some 25,000 years. “I was fascinated by the figurine’s primitive forms and simplicity.”

By incorporating these same features into his work, he wants to show how “normal” the female body really is. “In my culture, the female body is always considered sacred and spiritual. But a body is just a body, whether it belongs to a man or a woman. With the toxic masculinity prevalent in Iran, women are manipulated into believing that their bodies must be covered up and guarded. It’s time for that to stop.” That’s not an easy task, he knows, because gender inequality is deeply rooted in Iranian culture.

Fundamental change

According to Rohani, the reason this is so difficult to overcome is because there is widespread support for the Islamic Republic. ‘If you’re a man in Iran, you have all the rights and power. Why would you give that up? Women, on the other hand, aren’t even allowed to attend a soccer match; and unlike men, they can’t file for divorce. Something needs to change fundamentally.”

Femininity deserves to be celebrated, Rohani believes. The women he has encountered throughout his life have left a deep impression on him. Especially his mother. “I was raised by an ‘awakened’ and wise mother; she was far ahead of her time. I inherited the lighter side of my personality from her, as well as my sense of aesthetics.” Three years ago, he lost her – a loss that left a deep void. “The person who brought kindness, motivation and enthusiasm into my life every day is gone. But I cherish the impact she and other women have had on my life, and this exhibit is a celebration of that.”