From Mourning to Dawn 1263

From Mourning to Dawn

This artwork is a memorial to those who lost their lives during the protests of Dey 1404—December 2025 and January 2026—in Iran. The true number of victims remains uncertain; some reports and estimates have placed it between forty and fifty thousand.

The map of Iran is formed from thousands of golden points and stars, each representing a human life—a person who carried dreams, memories, and a future. A woman with uncovered, flowing hair raises a candle toward this luminous sky, not only in mourning, but also to keep the memory of the fallen from disappearing into darkness.

Above Iran, the dove and olive branch embody the longing for peace and freedom. Below, the rising sun promises that even after the longest night, dawn will come. From Mourning to Dawn is a reflection on a nation’s collective grief, yet within that sorrow, the light of remembrance, hope, and the dream of a free future remain alive.