Shirin Neshat: Born of Fire at the Parrish Art Museum – A Monumental Retrospective

The Parrish Art Museum is thrilled to present Shirin Neshat: Born of Fire, an extraordinary solo exhibition by the internationally acclaimed Iranian-born artist. This exhibition marks a significant milestone: it is Neshat’s first solo museum exhibition in the New York area in two decades and her debut presentation on the East End of Long Island. Opening on April 20, 2025, Born of Fire offers a non-linear survey of Neshat’s artistic evolution, showcasing four pivotal bodies of work that span nearly three decades of creative exploration.

The exhibition brings together Women of Allah (1993–97), The Book of Kings (2012), Land of Dreams (2019), and The Fury (2022–23). These distinct yet interconnected series trace the trajectory of Neshat’s practice, with a focus on the themes of female empowerment, political resistance, and displacement. Through photography, video, and film, Neshat’s work is renowned for its striking, poetic imagery, the integration of calligraphy, and deeply personal storytelling.

In addition to the main body of work, the exhibition will feature a special gallery devoted to Neshat’s private collection, showcasing artworks by Middle Eastern artists and friends, including notable names like Marina Abramović and Robert Longo.

Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, Executive Director of the Parrish Art Museum, expressed the significance of the exhibition: “We are proud to present this groundbreaking and comprehensive exhibition. The content is both timely and deeply relevant. For the Parrish, exhibitions like this are vital—they ensure the Museum’s success by engaging both local and national audiences and truly move the needle toward progress. Shirin Neshat’s work challenges perspectives and sparks conversations, making this exhibition a milestone for the Museum and our community.”

Shirin Neshat’s body of work has always been a vehicle for addressing pressing social issues, and Born of Fire is no exception. The exhibition covers a broad spectrum of themes, from historical political upheavals in Iran to contemporary reflections on displacement and the treatment of women in society.

Shirin Neshat herself reflects on the scope of the exhibition: “Born of Fire is an exhibition that brings together my earliest to my latest work. Women of Allah (1993–1997) and The Book of Kings (2012) photographic series capture the most significant historical and political upheavals in Iran in modern times—the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the 2009 Green Movement. With Land of Dreams (2019), for the first time, I turn my lens toward the West and offer my perspective as an Iranian immigrant about America, a nation that once welcomed displaced immigrants, and how its core identity is now being compromised. Finally, The Fury (2023) touches on the systematic violence and sexual exploitation of women imprisoned as political detainees by men in uniforms.”

Corinne Erni, the Museum’s Chief Curator, is equally enthusiastic about the exhibition: “I am beyond thrilled to present this survey of Shirin Neshat’s work—it is the culmination not only of her three-decade-long artistic career but our friendship that has lasted just as long. Neshat’s starkly beautiful, hypnotizing, and rhythmically choreographed visual stories are profoundly cathartic; they transport us to an almost religious experience that reassures us of our humanity—art can do that, and we need it in these turbulent times.”

The exhibition, curated by Erni alongside Associate Curator of Exhibitions, Scout Hutchinson, offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of Neshat’s artistic practice. From the evocative black-and-white photography of Women of Allah to the cinematic power of The Fury, Neshat’s works are a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Shirin Neshat: Born of Fire is not just an exhibition; it is a cultural event that invites audiences to engage with urgent global issues through the lens of one of the most visionary artists working today. Opening on April 20, 2025, this exhibition is set to spark dialogue, inspire reflection, and provide a deeply moving artistic experience.

The Parrish Art Museum invites all to experience this milestone presentation of Shirin Neshat’s work—a powerful reflection of art’s ability to transcend borders, provoke thought, and speak truth to power.