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She Who Tells a Story: Female lens on Iran and the Arab world

19 September 2013 Last updated at 03:15 BST

In the Middle East, a number of pioneering female photographers have risen to prominence, using art to defy stereotypes and explore questions of identity in the changing region.

She Who Tells a Story, an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, features the work of 12 contemporary women photographers from Iran and the Arab world.

Curator Kristen Gresh told the BBC that the exhibit and accompanying book showcase the powerful, diverse work of these women and offer a different lens through which to view the politics and culture of the region.

Produced by Ashley Semler and Bill McKenna

Photographs courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Newsha Tavakolian, Gohar Dashti, Nermine Hammam, Shirin Neshat, Rana El Nemr, Rania Matar, Tanya Habjouqa, Rula Halawani, Boushra Almutawakel, Shadi Ghadirian and Lalla Essaydi.

Picture This is a series of video features published every Thursday on the BBC News website which illustrate interviews with authors about their new books.

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