Hidden Beauty

“Beauty is in hiding,” a Zen proverb suggests—an idea that resonates deeply within this series. Behshad explores the notion that beauty does not reside inherently in forms, but rather emerges through selective concealment. In this context, mascara becomes a metaphorical hijab—obscuring one aspect to accentuate another as beautiful.

The concept of hijab has been a deeply politicized and contested issue in Iran, particularly since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Although not immediately codified into law, the enforcement of hijab was perceived by many as a coercive measure, ambiguously defined and aimed at controlling socio-sexual expression under the guise of protection from “evil desires”—a term frequently used by the state.

Rather than offering clarity, hijab has often served to isolate and objectify women—both symbolically and socially—as subjects of desire. While Behshad does not claim to unravel the full complexity or origin of hijab’s intentions, this body of work investigates how eroticism is amplified through veiling and absence.

Through this series, he invites viewers to consider how concealment can intensify allure, and how beauty—both hidden and revealed—functions within broader cultural and political narratives.