Baha’is, the largest non-Muslim religious minority in Iran, have faced systematic persecution since the 1979 revolution in that country. This persecution manifests in various ways, including prolonged prison terms for individual Baha’i believers.
This exhibition showcases items crafted by Baha’is who have been imprisoned in Iran in the past or are currently serving lengthy sentences. The purpose of the exhibition is to raise awareness of the persecution of Baha’is in Iran and advocate for their release by engaging with and seeking the assistance of like-minded individuals, organizations, and communities.
For more information about the Baha’i Faith , an overview of the situation of Baha’is in Iran , archives documenting the persecution, and efforts to raise awareness about them, please refer to the resources available online.
When
24 September - 8 October 2024
Where
Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
15 Blackall St, Barton ACT 2600
17 - 25 February 2024
Sydney Baha'i Center
25 April - 5 May 2024
Sydney Baha'i House of Worship
The items presented in the exhibition belong to the imprisoned individuals who made them or their family, friends and relatives who received them as gifts. Although there are more than one hundred items available, due to space restrictions, only a small number of carefully curated items will be on display at exhibitions. As the number of available items is expected to grow over time, subscribe to this site or follow us on social media to receive updates on new additions to the exhibition.
This exhibition showcases works by Baha’is imprisoned in Iran to raise awareness of their persecution. It also advocates for the release of all individual Baha'is currently serving lengthy prison terms in that country.
The exhibition is organised and funded by a small group of volunteers.
For security reasons, no information pertaining to the identity of the imprisoned Baha’is is included in the exhibition or the material distributed in relation to it.
All the items on display were made by imprisoned Baha’is (men and women) during their incarceration.
The available items include woven clothes, handmade accessories such as bags, purses, craft jewellery, paintings, hand written letters, an assortment of knitted dolls, garments of various styles, etc. There are close to one hundred items available to the exhibition. However, only a limited number of carefully selected items will be on display at each showing.
The recipients received these items on various occasions including birthdays, Naw Ruz, Persian New Year, etc. Some were received for no specific occasion.
Some prisoners are given access to handicraft materials and resources.
Most items were hand delivered to the exhibition by people who received them. A number of items were sent by ordinary post.
Every item displayed at the exhibition is provided by family, friends, or relatives of imprisoned Baha’is. People who provided the items participated in an interview (some recorded as audio only while others were videotaped) to explain the items, who they received them from, etc. The authentication files are not for publication.
All are welcome to attend.
Admission is free for all.
At the moment, only one exhibition is planned for Sydney, Australia. However, in the future, the exhibition may travel to other capital cities in Australia.
The items on display are not for sale.