Burnt Generation

Burnt Generation was the first of a series of major photography events produced by Candlestar in the lead up to the inaugural edition of Photo London.

‘Many commentators have said that some of the most exciting photography in the world today is being made in Iran,’ says Candlestar Director Fariba Farshad, who curated Burnt Generation, Candlestar’s exhibition of Iranian Photography. ‘We hope that this exciting exhibition will confirm this view… ‘ Burnt Generation, which was on display at Somerset House from 10 April to 1 June 2014, brought together work by eight contemporary photographers that had rarely been seen outside Iran.  The photographers were Azadeh Akhlaghi; Gohar Dashti; Shadi Ghadirian; Babak Kazemi; Abbas Kowsari; Ali Nadjian/Ramyar Manouchehrzadeh; Newsha Tavakolian and Sadegh Tirafkan. By presenting rarely-seen work by these photographers, Burnt Generation presented an opportunity to move to a place beyond cliché; a moment to forget the stereotypical images of Iran and enter the distinctive personal, cultural histories of these highly original and intellectually engaged image makers.

Press Coverage:

The Guardian
British Journal of Photorgaphy
Financial Times

Exhibition leaflet: Burnt Generation