Key Points
- Nila Rezaei's 'Crafted Liberation' project repurposes donated headscarves into stadium seats.
- This project aims to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Iran and inspire global solidarity.
- The hijab has been used by the Iranian government as a tool to control women's bodies and restrict their freedoms.
Hundreds of unwanted headscarves from all over the world have been transformed into pieces of art in Australia, serving as a protest against Iran's mandatory hijab rules.
The project is the work of Iranian-Australian designer Nila Rezaei.
"I felt guilty for not being In Iran when the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement happened," she told SBS Persian.
'A sense of guilt'
More than two years ago, the death in custody of Mahsa Jina Amini sparked protests all over Iran.
She was a woman from Iran's Kurdish minority arrested by the so-called morality police for allegedly not observing the country’s mandatory hijab laws.
This project was a form of therapy for me.Nila Rezaei
"I felt a sense of guilt for not being able to physically join the protests. This project allowed me to channel my emotions and contribute to the cause in a meaningful way," Rezaei said.
After putting a call out for donations, Rezaei and her company RK Collective set to work with the help of a team of specialised textile waste manufacturers to create sports stadium seats using the headscarves.
Nila Rezaei and Christopher Krainer, founders of RK Collective. Credit: Alex Smith
Similarly, the stadium has traditionally been off-limits to women. Recently, Iranian authorities have claimed that women can now attend sporting events at stadiums, but in reality, significant restrictions remain in place.
By repurposing these headscarves, Rezaei said she has created a tangible representation of women's resilience and their ongoing struggle for freedom and equality.
"This project is the result of a collective effort, from the women who sent their scarves to us, to our manufacturing partner who helped us with the practical aspects," Rezaei said.
"Without the contributions of each individual, this project would not have been possible."
Women tossing headscarves in a shoot for Nila Rezaei's art project. Credit: Debbie Gallulo
The exhibition, dubbed "Crafted Liberation", launched in November and runs until 19 February, 2025, at the Australian Design Centre in Sydney.
Symbol of the 'government's control over women's bodies'
Azadeh Davachi is an Iranian-Australian researcher, writer and women's rights activist.
She said the hijab has always been more than just a religious symbol for the Iranian government, who have used it as a tool of control to enforce a specific ideology on women.
"The hijab, and specifically the scarf, is the symbol of the Islamic government of Iran. It is extremely important to them," Davachi said.
The hijab symbolises the government's control over women's bodies.Azadeh Davachi
She highlighted the recent approval of the "hijab and chastity" bill by the Iranian parliament, a law which imposes strict dress codes and harsh penalties for non-compliance.
"The Iranian government's approval of such a strict bill, amidst the country's ongoing struggles, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to maintaining the hijab mandate," Davachi said.
Azadeh Davachi. Credit: Supplied
This announcement followed of a university student who was arrested in Tehran after protesting the strict hijab laws. She stripped down to her underwear on campus, reportedly after being harassed by security guards.
The student was subsequently transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns about the use of torture, violence and forced medication against protesters and dissidents who are deemed mentally unstable by the authorities.
While there hasn't been a significant change toward more freedom in Iran's laws, Davachi noted a gradual shift in attitudes, particularly within families, against the mandatory hijab.
The 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement, sparked by Mahsa Jina Amini's tragic death, was not an overnight event.Azadeh Davachi, researcher, writer and women's rights activist
"It was a culmination of years of underlying resistance and a growing desire for change within Iranian society."
Installing the seats in Iran
Rezaei hopes that her work will empower Iranian women to share their stories and inspire non-Iranians to engage with issues that may not directly affect them, such as the hijab.
"I hope that non-Iranians will feel comfortable discussing these issues, even if they haven't experienced them firsthand," she said.
"Our artwork, being a tangible object with a powerful story, can serve as a bridge, allowing non-Iranians to join us on this journey."
Rezaei said she envisioned "Crafted Liberation" extending beyond a mere exhibition.
"Imagine if women from a specific city could send us their scarves, and we could turn them into seats that they could then install in their local community," Rezaei suggested.
Stadium seats created for "Crafted Liberation". Credit: Debbie Gallulo
Rezaei said she hoped to take her project to every city in Australia. Her ultimate dream is to install these seats in the 78,000-capacity Azadi Stadium in Tehran, which is the primary home venue of the Iranian national football team.
"I dream of seeing these seats installed in Azadi Stadium in Tehran, but I know that may not happen in my lifetime," she said.
