Photography medal winner Setareh Zakeri

Setareh Zakeri. Photo: Christina Gapic.Zakeri's heart-wrenching photographic works explore themes of pain, suffering, brutality and the persecution and oppression of women.

Q. Where did the inspiration for your work come from?

Through my own life and cultural experiences, women's issues interested me more and more. I wanted to research them, learn about them, and eventually bring awareness of these issues to the rest of the world.

Q. What part of your project are you most proud of and why?

Seeing people's reactions, some positive some negative, proved that my work had so much power that it brought out different kinds of emotions in people, and that for me is what I work for and what I am most proud of.

Q. What was your reaction after you found out that you were the medal winner for your program?

I was at work when I listened to my voicemail and there was a message from the Faculty informing me that I won the medal. My immediate reaction was feeling so overwhelmed with many emotions, I was speechless but so, so happy and laughing at the same time. It was an unreal moment that I will never forget.

Q. In looking back at your time at OCAD U, what is your fondest memory of the program you were in and what will you miss the most?

I will miss my teachers the most! Mostly my thesis profs April Hickox, Nicholas Pye, Barbara Astman and Jennifer Long, and of course all the amazing faculty in the Photography department.

Q. What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I plan to work in the industry for one to two years and then undertake a master's degree.

Persecution series by Setareh Zakeri, 2012, inkjet/Giclee print.