Sahar Tarighi investigates notions of identity, community, and tradition through Kurdish symbolism with particular emphasis on the ancient Şamaran myth. The half-woman, half-snake avenged her own death and punished the men who betrayed her. Today, Şamaran is a symbol of wisdom, protection, and empowerment for people contesting patriarchal and totalitarian regimes.

Tarighi echoes the ceremonial braids her Şamaran sculpture wears with countless individual braids cascading down the surrounding walls. The overwhelming number of disembodied braids recall Kurdish mourning traditions, which involve women cutting off their braids at the graves of loved ones. Cumulatively, the exhibition bears witness to the loss of life in the fight for women’s rights, as well as community, togetherness, and strength in numbers.