I don’t know which university you went to, but this is very similar to what my professors used to say.
I recommend that you search the keyword “art history” in this group. Some time ago, I wrote to a friend, what is the history of art outside of Iran like?
Europe, which is mostly defined as a project, and according to that project, work is carried forward. That is, if you even read a proposal or research plan, it should be in the context of that project. That project can also be, for example, in the philosophy of art in the architecture of the Edo period of Japan, rather than the symbolism in the masks of Native Americans.
In America and Canada, you usually meet with professors who have a field of work that suits your interest, or usually the field you want to work in should be other than the field or research themes of that department.
You may not find anyone in a department who works even in the field of Islamic art, let alone Iran in particular. But you may see an art department cover all courses and geographical areas.
With respect to the professors inside Iran who say this, their talk is only based on the idea that “the West knows its art better and has been researching its art for more than a few decades. But the East is not so much a subject of identification for him, or it is further away.”
that…
It is wrong in almost many ways. From what I have seen so far.
Also suppose, for example, that your research is on baroque sculpture. Isn’t it strange that foreign professors only expect that because you are Iranian, your field of interest and cartoons should be in the same field of Iran?
In PhD, you are going to penetrate deeply into a subject for 4-6 years. Is it wise to spend time on something that you are not interested in or not?
Start your own research and ask the staff and faculty of that department if you have any questions.
Do not trust the words of insiders 100%.
This post is written by Melyan_A