Mona Sartoveh, Hunter # 11, Inkjet print, 24 x 36 inches, NFS

They dictated, 'Wear this, not that. Keep your hair short, suppress your laughter. Refrain from biking. Better not pluck your eyebrows. Stay inconspicuous. Be seen for who you are.' This chapter of my childhood opens a window into the realm of womanhood within an ideological society that relentlessly enforces its gendered ideals. It's a society that instills the belief that if you don't conform to its societal standards, there will always be guardians ready to enforce those ideals. Thus, the responsibility falls on the individual to protect oneself. This narrative hinges on two pivotal truths: your body is subject to judgment, and it remains perpetually under scrutiny, with every action monitored.

Years later, as my life's geography underwent a transformation, and I thought I had left behind the shadows of body-related concerns in a new land, an ordinary afternoon in sunny Boston reshaped the story. A green car, reminiscent of the moral security police vehicles in Iran, passed by, prompting an unconscious reflex to shield my head, which I was no longer required to cover with a Hijab. I contemplated this narrative in silence, my mind still haunted by the phantoms of body surveillance, my body having adapted to preying upon itself, miles away from tangible threats. The initial terror instilled by this realization soon evolved into a conscious battle, as I unearthed and mocked these concealed hunters. Now aware of their presence, they could no longer hide within me, like a child playing hide and seek in the most obvious of places.

"Hunter," my new self-portrait series, is indeed a relentless struggle. It represents the journey of a woman who has become more attuned to the predators that society implanted within her and now seeks to expose and ridicule them.  Creating this self-portrait project has been a deeply personal journey for me, exploring the profound connection between my identity and the Hijab, a mandatory aspect of my life. Your recognition of the timeliness of the work is truly affirming and means a great deal to me. - M. S.

Mona Sartoveh, born in Tehran in 1982, is a photographer known for her passion for social topics. She holds a B.A. in photography from the Art and Architecture University of Tehran and has established herself as a self-employed photographer with a diverse range of skills, including film photography, art direction, and scriptwriting. She remains steadfast in her passion for photography and continues to create art that inspires and resonates with audiences around the world. Her unique perspective on life, shaped by her experiences, is evident in her captivating images that capture the essence of her artistic vision. Mona's creativity is fueled by her life's journey, which has given her a deep understanding of social issues and a keen eye for detail. She uses photography as a medium for telling stories and making a difference in her world. She is particularly dedicated to showcasing the multifaceted aspects of womanhood and addressing contemporary challenges faced by women in today's world.