Wispobish is a powerful tree in Persian mythology. The tree contains the nest of the Simurgh, a mythical phoenix-like bird, representing benevolence. In Persian, the word Wispobish means ‘the cure of every disease.’ I am employing the symbol of the Wispobish in response to the attempts to ban Iranians and other Muslims from the United States, regarding to the recent Executive order 13769 Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry. I utilize the old photographic technique of wet plate collodion in combination with tree branches to create a ghostly forest. A fragile yet monumental structure constructed from white-washed cardboard boxes is inscribed with ancient Persian poems and silhouettes of branches. In this piece, I hope to evoke the voices of those who have been demonized and offer healing through collective strength.
