Draft:Ramak Bamzar: Visual Artist and Fine Art Photographer

File:My Coloured Rectangle

Ramak Bamzar, My Coloured Rectangle, 2024.

Ramak Bamzar (born 1980 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian visual artist and conceptual photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. Her work primarily explores themes of identity, with a particular focus on womanhood, cultural duality, and the influence of societal norms shaped by patriarchy, theocracy, and social media. Bamzar's art delves into the complexities of self-image, gender, and the experiences of Middle Eastern women, especially within the context of Iranian society. Through staged photography, she blends artistic and cultural elements to convey her narratives.

Early Life

Ramak Bamzar was born in 1980 in Tehran, Iran. Her parents, originally from the provinces of Khorasan and Khuzestan, moved to Tehran in 1977. Bamzar spent her early childhood and teenage years in Tehran. During the mid-1980s, due to the dangers of aerial bombardments, her parents sent her and her older sister, Roya, to live with their grandparents in Boshruyeh, a small town in South Khorasan province. This period of separation from her parents had a profound and lasting impact on Bamzar. Themes of homesickness, the trauma of war, loneliness, cultural differences, and gender discrimination at school became central to her art. These experiences deeply influenced her work, as she often revisits these memories, exploring unanswered questions about her life's journey. Her art reflects a sense of nostalgia, gender roles, and the challenges of growing up in post-revolutionary Iran.

In 1991, Bamzar's family relocated to Mashhad. During her early teenage years, she developed a strong passion for the visual arts. She completed her diploma in Persian literature and humanities in Mashhad while simultaneously enrolling in advanced drawing and oil painting courses. Bamzar continued to refine her painting skills until 1999 when she decided to pursue photography at the Faculty of Art and Architecture at Azad University in Tehran. That same year, she was accepted into Kerman Art University as a painting major but chose to remain in Tehran to complete a four-year course in photography. This decision was crucial in establishing her solid foundation in photography, both theoretically and academically.

Early Career Bamzar began her photography journey using a Yashica FX-3 film camera. She started her career by collaborating with local publications and newspapers in Tehran. In 2003, just two days after the Bam earthquake, she travelled to the devastated city to document the aftermath through her photography project, Living Death. This tragedy marked a pivotal moment in her early career as a documentary photographer. During her university years, Bamzar developed a keen interest in theatre photography, beginning with the documentation of theatre productions. This exposure allowed her to explore and experiment with the technical aspects of stage design, including lighting and colour schemes. In 2004, Bamzar's work was recognized when she was awarded third prize in the student section of the Fajr Theater Festival in Iran. This experience significantly shaped her approach to photography, particularly in her later work, where her understanding of lighting, composition, and colour became defining characteristics of her artistic style. Between 2005 and 2008, financial constraints led Bamzar to transition into commercial photography, working as a wedding photographer for various studios in Karaj and Tehran. In 2009, she established Ramak Studio in Karaj, where she served as the photography director until 2010 when she immigrated to Australia.

Major Themes

Bamzar's work frequently explores the complexities of gender dynamics, examining how societal norms and cultural traditions shape women's roles and perceptions. Her photography critiques the male gaze and investigates the pressures women face regarding beauty and societal expectations. These themes are evident in her acclaimed series Moustachioed Women and Rhinoplastic Girls, where she addresses the cultural expectations placed on women and how these expectations are internalised and performed. Cultural narratives also play a central role in Bamzar's photography. Drawing from her Iranian heritage, she captures the tapestry of traditions, rituals, and societal changes in her homeland. Her early series Iranian Wedding is a prime example, documenting wedding ceremonies in Karaj, a small town near Tehran. This project not only highlights the beauty and vibrancy of Iranian customs but also critically examines the gender roles and societal expectations embedded within these ceremonies. Environmental and social contexts are recurring elements in Bamzar's work. She often uses natural and urban landscapes as backdrops for her subjects, emphasizing the relationship between individuals and their environments. This focus on environmental narratives adds depth to her photographs, inviting viewers to consider the broader socio-cultural dynamics at play.

Photography Works

Iranian Wedding" (2005–2008): Iranian Wedding is one of Bamzar's earliest and most significant photographic series, created between 2005 and 2008. This project documents the wedding ceremonies of residents in Karaj, near Tehran, Iran. Through this series, Bamzar explores the extravagant makeup, clothing, and specific gender roles observed during these ceremonies. The photographs critically examine how beauty is perceived and valued under the male gaze, shaped by cultural, traditional, geographical, and religious factors. Iranian Wedding not only highlights the vibrant traditions of Iranian weddings but also delves into the deeper societal and cultural implications of these practices. This series gained international recognition when it was featured at the Head On International Photo Festival in Sydney, Australia, marking a significant milestone in Bamzar's career.

Moustachioed Women and Rhinoplastic Girls (2022): In 2022, Bamzar unveiled her series Moustachioed Women and Rhinoplastic Girls, further solidifying her reputation as an influential voice in contemporary photography. This series explores the societal pressures on women concerning beauty standards, particularly focusing on the cultural phenomenon of rhinoplasty (nose surgery) and the traditional male grooming of moustaches. Through these images, Bamzar critiques the rigid beauty ideals imposed on women and how these standards influence their self-perception and roles in society. The series has been exhibited internationally and has sparked critical discussions on gender norms and the intersection of beauty and societal expectations within Iranian society. Bamzar's thoughtful and provocative approach in this series has earned her widespread acclaim.

Pro Femina (2023–2024): Pro Femina, presented in 2023, is another notable work by Bamzar that continues her exploration of gender roles and cultural dynamics within the context of Iranian and broader Middle Eastern societies. Pro Femina delves into the stories of women, capturing their strength, resilience, and struggles within patriarchal structures. Bamzar's photographs in this series are characterized by their powerful visual narratives, which challenge viewers to reconsider traditional notions of femininity and the role of women in society. The series has been praised for its ability to evoke empathy and spark dialogue on the ongoing fight for gender equality.

Technique and Style: Bamzar's photography is known for its meticulous composition and painterly approach. Each element within her images is carefully arranged to create a visually compelling narrative. Her use of colour, texture, and lighting is precise, often enhancing the emotional impact of her work. Bamzar frequently employs staged photography, constructing scenes that are both aesthetically pleasing and rich in meaning. Her work often blends personal experiences with broader societal observations, using photography as a medium to explore complex social and cultural issues. This combination of personal narrative and social critique is a distinctive feature of her style, making her work both relatable and thought-provoking.