‘Space to Breathe’ – a group show guest curated by @newshatavakolian opened at @breda_photo this week ✨⁠ ⁠ At the entrance to 'Space to Breathe' is a floor-to-ceiling image by @abbas.photos. The photograph shows a teenage Tavakolian surrounded by other photojournalists covering student protests in Iran, where she was born and raised and became a photographer at the age of 16.⁠ ⁠ “He was a source of unconditional love and support for me,” says Tavakolian of Abbas. The photograph was taken before the two of them were formally introduced, and Abbas went on to become an immensely important figure in Tavakolian's life. “It means so much to me,” she says. ⁠ ⁠ The personal resonance of this photograph reflects Tavakolian’s relationship to the rest of the works in the exhibition. In 2019, the now Amsterdam-based photographer was approached by Marieke Wiegel, director of Grote Kerk in Breda, about the possibility of exhibiting her work. Shortly after these conversations began, the pandemic arrived, upending plans, but when they picked up again, Tavakolian had another idea – to curate a group show featuring her own work alongside others.⁠ ⁠ At the link in bio, writer and photographer @alice.zoo speaks to Newsha Tavakolian about the new group exhibition. ⁠ ⁠ PHOTO: Newsha Tavakolian at work among TV cameramen. Tehran. Iran. May 2001.⁠ ⁠ © @abbas.photos / Magnum Photos