The Right to Life -- Human Right 3

Article 3.
"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

The Neda of Iran
I dedicate all my artistic ability to the woman of Iran and the middle east. I feel such a strong connection towards them and they are in every brushstroke I take on the canvas. I pray for their freedom to choose, freedom of speech and freedom to make decisions on their own behalf.


©Shabnam Miller
If you make one part of the population suffer - the other part suffers too. A man can't be happy if his woman is suffering. Does the same thing count for the world as a whole? If one part of the globe is suffering does the rest ( the west) suffer as well and if so - why in silence? Have you ever asked yourself why you're never completely happy?

You won't be able to change anything if you're standing in a hole and accept that you're standing in a hole. When will humanity learn to put human rights and dignity before anything else.

History if it's written about politics of this world are never glorious only if it captures personal stories within. And the protesters on the streets in Iran are capturing every aspect of Glory that is driven by the love for one another and freedom! One of the stories is Neda's story. It's not one woman's story but the story of all woman forced by law to live and behave in a way that is completely against the nature of any woman - any human!

In the west we have to realize that someone else gave their blood for our freedom. It's time to help the rest of the world to achieve this. We cannot achieve this by looking the other way. I am unable to close my eyes. I refuse to be quiet. We as artists have a voice that we're mandated to use!

The beautiful young educated people on the streets in Iran are protesting unarmed for something we already take for granted. They have everything to lose and dare to lose it all. They are full of energy and able to make a change within their own country. But their rights are being broken and we need to be their voice. Their energy to continue is inspiring and I cannot stop watching in awe. Change is within reach and doesn't have to be pushed over onto the next generation, because the next generation will push it over to the next!


I am Neda - You are too!

--Shabnam Miller, Germany
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About my painting:
She is trapped in a room that looks cold and very much like a cell, the window is the size of a laptop, and by looking at it she can see the world on the other side and this enables her to blossom. The blade (dictatorship) hanging from the ceiling is within eyesight and very sharp. But it's smaller than she thinks, the onlooker is hoping that she realizes that and dares to sneak underneath it towards the open window without being afraid to get cut. In the right side corner I've worked in a feather which is writing something in red - the "law". This is Iran, this is a Persian woman, this is an Arab woman, and afghan girl. -- This is Neda!
©Shabnam Miller