#HTE

Jalal Sepehr‘s arresting images offer Iranian photographer’s personal perspective on global affairs, translating a community’s hardship into a visual metaphor. The title of his ‘Red Zone’ series refers to the unending state of alarm thrust upon the Middle East, with endless warning bells signalling war and political unrest we’ve all subconsciously almost gown to expect.

At the centre of his compositions lies a red road paved with Persian rugs. The image of the family disappearing into the horizon is particularly chilling, reminiscent of many displaced people currently walking the path stained in blood.

The duality captured in Sepehr’s images is equally sublime and chilling. His scenes at first appear spectacular and idyllic, although upon closer inspection, many obstacles reveal themselves – a larger-then life wall, an ominous sandstorm, an airplane, a black hole – each one sending a clear message of troubled times ahead.

Jalal Sepehr was born in Tehran in 1968, where he still lives and works. A self-taught photographer, he started taking pictures in 1994 while living in Japan (1991-96). Back in Iran, he and Dariush Kiani, an advertising photographer, founded the Fanons studio. Togehter with Shadi Ghadirian, the international Fanoos Photo website followed, dedicated to the promotion of contemporary Iranian photography (2003-2007).

Sepehr is active in fine art photography and teaching at a university of Media applied science. He is an active member of Iran’s Association of Virtual and Advertising & Industrial Photography Association of Iran. What a dude.

[Images © Jalal Sepehr.]

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