The latest exhibition at Manchester Central Library is a fascinating collection of 40 photographs of life in contemporary Iran by Nancy Lindisfarne.
Nancy first went to Iran as an anthropologist in 1965, and travelled there regularly throughout the next decade. The photographs of Street Aesthetics were taken with a digital camera during her return visit in the spring of 2005 and capture scenes of people going about their daily business.
Nancy Lindisfarne studied social anthropology at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), she has completed anthropological field research in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Syria, and taught at SOAS from 1987 to 2001.
In 2001 she left teaching to study art at Central St Martin's College of Art and Design and devoted herself to painting, print making and photography.
Her joy in both urban and rural Middle Eastern landscapes is closely connected to her anthropology and to a keen feeling for people and places.
The photographs are intended to provide relaxed, intimate glimpses of public spaces and to celebrate the distinctive details of the Iranian aesthetic.
Nancy said: "I hope that people will remember these gentle pictures every time they hear sabre rattling or are touched by the shadows of war, darkening the lives of ordinary Iranians, and all of us, today."
Comments in the visitors book express a desire to travel to the country after seeing the photos.
Support for Street Aesthetics has been most gratefully received from the Iran Heritage Foundation.
The photographs have been reproduced as giclée prints by Brian Peart (http://www.chromatech.uk.com/).
The exhibition is on the first floor of Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, until 30th November. The Library's opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm; Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
Contact details: Nancy Lindisfarne 01865 722 978 nanstarr44@hotmail.com
Media contact:
Margaret Blackburn Press, tel: 0161 234 4014