Shirin Neshat, from The Home of My Eyes series, 2015-19 “I was born an Iranian,” says Neshat. “My country has undermined basic human rights, particularly since the Islamic Revolution. I have gravitated toward making art that is concerned with tyranny, dictatorship, oppression and political injustice. Although I don’t consider myself an activist, I believe my art – regardless of its nature – is an expression of protest, a cry for humanity.”

Photograph: Shirin Neshat