“So-Art” (Social Art) is an artistic club aiming at bringing together young artists who are interested in social issues and social change. Recognizing the impact of artists on society, So-Art utilizes the unique ability of artists to serve society by elevating its culture.
Children’s Visual Storytelling
Storytelling through the art of photography is both a creative endeavor to give meaning to artistic works and a strategic approach to engaging with audiences to create impact. When the story we tell through photography revolves around the limitations caused by disability, poverty, language barriers, race, ethnicity, gender, or culture—shedding light on the lives of marginalized communities—it gives rise to a concept known as Photo-Voice.
The collection before you is the result of the dedicated efforts of 25 photographers over a six-month period, striving to be the voice of children. This advocacy photography project aims to demonstrate that in a world where almost everyone holds a camera, photography can be a powerful tool for supporting children—provided we use it with the intent of advocacy and empowerment.
Storytelling of Women and Girls Through the Lens of a Camera
Iran ranks among the bottom three countries in the world on the Global Gender Gap Index, with one of the highest gender gaps. A low ranking on this index means that women in that country do not have equal opportunities, earn lower incomes and wages, have limited chances for managerial promotion, suffer from violence, exploitation, and workplace discrimination, and face a predominantly male-dominated job market. This index reflects the reality that women’s economic rights receive little attention in Iran.
The right to access fair employment, equal pay for equal work, social protection, ownership and access to financial resources, participation in economic decision-making, and access to education and vocational training are among the most fundamental economic rights of women. These rights are recognized in human rights conventions, and countries worldwide are urged to uphold them and work toward improving women’s economic conditions and reducing gender inequalities.
This collection is the result of the efforts of 21 photographers who, over a six-month period, aimed to be the voice of women and girls. This advocacy photography project was both a Photovoice exercise and a collective effort to highlight the economic rights and participation of women in Iran.
