If You Want To Be Alive…Read My Lips is a performance film introducing Maral’s experience of deafness and jewellery making, her artistic practice and becoming a refugee due to the political nature of her artwork.

The film showcases her bone china jewellery and demonstrates how the jewellery is worn, over the ears. A sound collage, by sound designer Chris Bartholomew, samples Iranian feminist protest songs and asks audiences to consider the difficulties of engaging politically when you do not have access to sound.

You must read Maral’s lips, giving an insight into her unique experience as a Deaf person and revealing the beauty of sign language that has finally given her a ‘voice.’

Headphones are recommended during this piece to make the experience as immersive as possible.

Maral Mamaghanizadeh is a Deaf Iranian artist, awarded an MA in Jewellery and Silversmithing from Birmingham City University in 2017 with her work ‘The Politics of Voice; The Tale of Tresses.'

Her work explores barriers she encounters in everyday life as a Deaf, female refugee. She communicates through her artworks, combining feminism and cultural politics.

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