The artwork titled “Untitled (Muslim and Jewish Hands)” was created by artist Shirin Neshat in the year 2005. This piece belongs to the contemporary and feminist art movements, and it is executed in the photography genre.
The artwork depicts two hands, each symbolizing a distinct cultural identity. The hand on the left is wrapped in a dark, spiraling band, which could be interpreted as tefillin, traditional Jewish phylacteries. The hand on the right is adorned with intricate Arabic script, a representation often associated with Islamic culture. Through the juxtaposition of these elements, the artwork evokes themes of unity and interconnectedness between Muslim and Jewish communities. The black-and-white composition further accentuates the stark contrast yet harmonious coexistence of these two cultural symbols, encapsulating Neshat’s exploration of identity, culture, and gender.
