The Iran-Pakistan border marks a pivotal moment between execution and freedom for Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson’s family as they fled persecution during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. face to face reflects on this history and experience to offer a moving portrait of stillness and archival chaos that navigates intergenerational identity.

In a non-linear style, the work explores three key concepts; the border sign between Pakistan and Iran; her mother writing a poem of universality on her brother’s face; and visual and vocal juxtaposition that distorts connectivity - being eye-to-eye, face-to-face.

Eshraghian-Haakansson reflects on intergenerational and personal identity, following the persecution of the artist’s family as a result of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. She includes imprints of archival footage and craft to explore the essence of stillness and chaos.

She features family members as her mother writes a poem on her older brother’s face, Only Breath by celebrated Persian poet Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī. This Persian poem speaks of universality and oneness of humanity, almost in solace of her family’s experience of persecution and war.

The pairing of a monotone voice and intense abstract glitches aim to distort and destabilise the portrait, positioning the viewer as a witness rather than a passive bystander. The portrait of the refugee is often dehumanized by the separation of empathy, void of true genuine listening and human compassion.

This work was made in the months of lockdown in 2020 as Eshraghian-Haakansson reflected on how global and local destabilisation had become the norm and the value of familial and communal care in this time. face to face evokes a personal reflection on connection and uncovering what is lost.

Winner of the 2020 Invitation Art Prize