Artist and activist Shohreh Ghanbary is in Surrey tonight (Thursday, Oct. 11) to talk about her incarceration in Iran's notorious Evin prison.

Her "Beyond the Wall: The Memories, the Art" discussion happens at Surrey Museum from 7 to 8: 30 p.m., at 17710 56A Ave., in the Cloverdale area. The event fee is $10; call 604-592-6956 to pre-register.

Unwilling to tolerate the extremes of the Islamic Revolution during the 1980s, Ghanbary took to the streets in protest and was subsequently imprisoned. She says she was subjected to horrendous conditions, the constant threat of execution and the steady disappearance of her fellow prisoners. In her cell in the dead of night she would embroider images of hope on the inside pockets of her chador. Each year, as her parents were permitted to bring a change of clothes, her messages of hope were smuggled out.

Now living on Vancouver's North Shore, Ghanbary continues her artwork in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing and video. She still works as an activist and uses her work to express both beauty and political commentary. Learn about the role her forbidden embroidery work played in keeping her from despair, and view these soulful works of art.