Burning Borders

The second part is a series of almost-opaque performance photographs,where she covers her entire body in black paint and captures the process. The idea is to raise an identity in a situation where not much can be seen. “Black on black leaves very little to the imagination,and yet I have tried to imply that you can work your way around a blocking,” she says. In one such photograph,she clutches her head and bends down in frustration. Morvarid calls that a reforming image,one that gives birth to a warrior-like personality. “Using censorship as my theme has allowed me to be expressive in less obvious ways,” she says.

This is Morvarid’s first solo show in India and the pictures were clicked with a Nikon D-300 in Paris and Arles,South of France,at the end of 2012. “I lived in India in 2011. The traditions are very close to Iran. There’s a lot of warmth here,” she says. Most of her exhibitions deal with what she calls “daily absurdities”. “It goes from serious themes,to light-hearted snapshots of street life. I like the tension of street photography,because it’s absurd and it still happens,” she says.

Talking about censorship being a universal theme,she says,“A lot of these issues are international,so people relate to it.” A theme like censorship can pack many debates with it. “While many call it evil,without boundaries one can’t really function. It can be a frustrating process but if you find a way to dance with what you have,the end product is worth it,” says Morvarid.

The exhibition is on view at Wonderwall,Lado Sarai till May 31. Contact: 46512768