Therefore, I am: Sculptural mementos to be worn for women: new narratives from the Middle East
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Other Title
Authors
Kheirkhah, Mahsa
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Creative Practice
Grantor
Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Date
2024
Supervisors
Ferguson, Gina
Wood, Becca
Wood, Becca
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Middle East
jewellery
wearable art
feminist art
memorial jewellery
jewellery
wearable art
feminist art
memorial jewellery
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Kheirkhah, M. (2025). Therefore, I am: Sculptural mementos to be worn for women: new narratives from the Middle East (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Creative Practice). Unitec, Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6840
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
To understand the Feminist artist’s challenges specific to the Middle East region through a contemporary art practice in making memorial and wearable sculptures.
ABSTRACT
My creative practice-based research in wearable sculpture is a personal exploration of feminist concepts specific to the Middle East. As a Middle Eastern artist who has lived closely with the struggles and concerns of women in my region, I’m driven to explore how these feminist ideas can be expressed and reimagined in my work. This project merges Middle Eastern women's complex stories with traditional and contemporary sculptural methods, creating a body of work that speaks to our unique experiences in the 21st century.
Growing up in the Middle East, I witnessed firsthand the challenges women face, deeply rooted in our histories, social structures, and cultural perspectives. This practice-based research bridges these lived experiences with broader feminist discourse, using art to reflect these stories in non-verbal ways. Informed by feminist theory, including perspectives from Islamic feminism, my work reimagines and contributes to the ongoing dialogue about gender equality and identity in contemporary art practices.
Central to my practice is creating wearable sculptures that honour the resilience of Middle Eastern women who have faced tremendous oppression yet continue to fight for their rights. To craft these wearable pieces, I use the ancient Mesopotamian technique of lost-wax casting, an innovation of Middle Eastern artisans. This technique allows for intricate, expressive designs that connect the traditional craftsmanship of my cultural heritage with contemporary artistic expressions.
By working with bronze, a material with a warm, earthy hue that recalls the vitality and spirit of these women, I aim to create pieces that bear the tangible weight of their struggles and aspirations. The durability of bronze stands as a symbol of their strength and endurance, serving as a lasting tribute to their resilience and determination.
My work reflects a commitment to bringing the stories of Middle Eastern women to light, celebrating their legacy, and sharing their voices with the world. It is a dialogue between the past and the present, between what was and what can be, representing those whose stories have not been heard.
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