Art and Activism: Analyzing Instagram Artworks During Iran’s ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ Movement

Authors : Nafise Esmael Motlagh

Pages : 248-263

Doi:10.59445/ijephss.1651546

View : 76 | Download : 210

Publication Date : 2025-07-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study conducts a content analysis of cartoons and illustrations published on Instagram during the first two weeks of a growing social movement in Iran before the government’s harsh reaction to protesters, from September 20, 2022, to October 3, 2022. Posts were collected based on the popular hashtag #mahsa_amini until a sample size of 100 was achieved. Based on the principle of saturation, indicating that additional posts were unlikely to reveal new themes or insights. By examining these visual narratives, the research aims to illuminate the core messages and demands of the protestors. This study also investigates the portrayal of characters in artworks depicting societal protests, focusing on the nuanced expressions and actions of protestors and suppressors. Through a detailed analysis of facial and body expressions, as well as gender representation and weapon association, the study aims to reveal the thematic and narrative choices made by artists on social media in conveying social tensions and dynamics.
Keywords : sosyal medya çalışmaları, toplumsal hareket, İran siyaseti, görsel analiz

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