Mass

Written by: Sanam Samanian

I have a friend in Toronto who battled—and survived—Breast Cancer not that long ago. Now in remission, she faced her condition bravely, understanding its roots and adopting her lifestyle to mitigate cancer's dire trajectory. She cooperated with her abnormal cells to survive their growth. During her battle, I learned that Breast Cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of death in women worldwide. To decrease the suffering, we need to raise more awareness about this type of cancer's physiological and psychological nuances, arriving at better treatments. 

In that regard, and in-time for the World Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), Tehran’s Shamideh Art Gallery has put forth an exhibition of Parisa Fahami's introspective artwork. In the show, Fahami personifies the invading cells as the subject matter. Titled ‘Mass’, the Virtual Exhibition consists of 10 original pieces (with limited editions), capturing these mysterious tumours like aerial photographs of an army-base. Fahami's thoughtful work gets close and intimate with Breast Cancer. She describes the invasion as "cruel and covert" in her statement, unveiling the host's personal battle with the continuous attack and spread of this growing Mass until "the body is no longer safe and secure." The series zoom into the cancer cells to exhibit and cite them as viable threats that slowly destroy the female population. 

For more information, please visit the gallery’s Virtual Space: www.shamidehart.gallery