TEHRAN – An online group exhibition showcases a collection of rare photographs from the years of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988).

Entitled “Unseen”, the exhibition, curated by Ramesh Lahiji, features works by renowned war photographers Sasan Moayyedi, Amirali Javadian, Mehrzad Arshadi, and Mehdi Monem. 

A statement from the exhibition reads: "The storm of events, the speed of incidents, and the need to document what was happening turned photographers' presence in the field into an imperative matter.”

“Consequently, a generation of photographers embarked on documenting the revolution and the war. The impact of the need to document the revolution and the war was so widespread that documentary photography, news photography, and naturally, war photography dominated Iranian photography until the early 1990s, allowing other genres such as fine art photography to emerge after this period,” it continues. 

“The significance of war photographs lies in their exclusive depiction of the battlefield scenes for the public. They serve as enduring moments of history, skillfully combined in an artistic composition,” it concludes. 

This exhibition will continue online on the official website of the Arthibition Gallery until October 4. 

The Iran-Iraq War, known as the "Sacred Defense" in the Islamic Republic, occurred between 1980 and 1988. It started when Iraq invaded Iran, seeking to take advantage of the post-revolutionary chaos. 

The conflict had a profound impact on Iranian society, as it mobilized both the military and civilians in a united effort to defend the newly established Islamic Republic.

The term "Sacred Defense" reflects the spiritual and patriotic nature of the conflict, emphasizing the belief that defending the homeland was not only a physical battle but also a spiritual duty. 

SAB/