Why Zines Matter: Artistic Expression in Iran

Faced with limited access to galleries, strict censorship, and the requirement for official permits for every exhibition, many Iranian artists struggle to show their work publicly. As a response to these restrictions, zines have emerged as an accessible tool to bypass institutional rules.

Saghi Parkhideh, Co-founder of Tehran Zine, is a part of this movement. Her project acts as a hub to help artists self-publish by sharing tools, knowledge, and infrastructure. "Zines allow artists to publish, circulate, and share their work independently, fostering a growing movement of self-expression, autonomy, and creative unblocking," Saghi writes.

She will share her insights into this sphere of artist-made publications — and her own work and toolkit.