Could it be that the cultural diktats in Iran have actually helped enhance the country's creativity quotient? A group of Iranian artists, photographers and filmmakers gathered as part of the Iranian Art Festival at Sharjah's Qanat Al Qasba agreed and disagreed, but agreed to disagree with all the fine graces of Persian etiquette that are world-renowned, but rarely talked about in the mainstream anymore.

"I would be bold to say that it is not so much a result of censorship or restrictions, but over the years, through our civilisations, Iranians have acquired this ability to convey things through double meanings. There can always be another interpretation to anything we say," says Raana Farmoud, an artist and member of the Dena Group.

The group was set up by eight female artists at the start of the millennium, not so much to make a feminist statement in their own country, but to act as a voice outside Iran.

"It's actually the outside world, where we need to have more collective power and voice to be heard and exhibit," says painter Maryam Shirinlou. "Women in every country need to show this sort of unity if they want to be heard, but if you take Iran, I find that people outside have a very small and negative understanding of the women, so I think it's essential to show another face. To show that we can work with authorities and with the government without being related, and that we can work without being dependent on men."

Dismissing the tag of feminism instantly, the women say they admire some facets of the movement but make it clear that they are not proponents of it.

Within Iran, the women say their gender does not make them an instant target for the culture custodians, adding that they enjoy the same privileges — or lack of — as the men. "Artists are looked at as artists, man or woman, doesn't matter," says Yasmin Sinia, a sculptor who uses her works to "criticise women in Iranian ``````````````