Born in Qazvin, Iran, Shirin Neshat moved to the United States in the 1970s to pursue her education, eventually settling in New York City. Her artistic breakthrough came in the 1990s with her photography series Women of Allah, which examined the complexities of female identity in the context of the Iranian Revolution.

Neshat’s practice spans photography, video, and feature-length film, often characterized by a signature use of black-and-white cinematography and Farsi calligraphy inscribed directly onto the surface of her subjects. Her work frequently addresses themes of exile, displacement, and the tension between traditional and modern societal structures.

Her international recognition continues to grow, with significant institutional support and major exhibition projects. In 2026, she is set to premiere a new film trilogy titled Do U Dare! at the Palazzo Marin during the Venice Biennale, a project that further investigates contemporary narratives through her distinct lens.