The Leila Heller Gallery is showcasing Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy, a collective exhibition curated by Iranian artist Behrang Samadzadegan. It reimagines traditional perceptions of carpets, elevating them from mere decorative items to sources of contemporary artistic inspiration. The show will be available to visit until 20 September 2024.
Historically perceived as a flat, patterned surface, carpets served as important models for painters in the late 19th century. Oriental carpets, in particular, have long been significant motifs, symbolising the exotic in the wake of Orientalism. They represent more than just woven threads: they evoke the essence of an enchanted garden, a sanctuary of dreams.
Artists are drawn to these textile gardens, finding comfort in the ordered patterns and rhythmic geometry of the carpets. Yet, within this structured beauty lies a wellspring of untapped creativity. By delving beneath the surface, artists weave layers of imagination that traverse the tangible, transforming carpets from mere floor coverings into vibrant canvases of artistic expression.
The Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy exhibition invites visitors on a journey through fantastical gardens where carpets dream and artists awaken the magic within. Each step reveals a narrative inspired by the rich tapestry beneath our feet. The show not only offers new perspectives on carpet research and artistic exploration but also presents the carpet as a framework for understanding art and art histories in a broader context.
In the exhibition, one can admire stunning works by 22 creatives. Among the exhibits is, for example, a piece from The Core (the Carpet Series) by Iranian artist Soheil Rad, who merges his design background with Iranian traditions and ancient architecture to create captivating light sculptures and objects. Turkish artist Melis Buyruk contributes Blooming Carpet (2024), another of her intricate monochromatic porcelain creations, while Lebanese artist Ali Cha’aban offers his reinterpretation of a flying carpet: a large-scale sculpture in which a Persian rug is contorted and manipulated into the shape of a paper plane.
Other participants include:
- Lebanese-American artist Etel Adnan (1925−2021);
- Azerbaijani artists Faig Ahmed and Farid Rasulov;
- Interdisciplinary designer Maryam Al-Homaid;
- Lebanese artists Ayman Baalbaki and Marwan Sahmarani;
- Textile artist Josefina Concha;
- Iranian artist and calligrapher Mohammad Ehsaei;
- Iranian-Armenian artist Marcos Grigorian (1925-2007);
- Pakistani artist Shahzad Hassan Ghazi;
- Palestinian textile designer Areen Hassan;
- Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum;
- British sculptor Debbie Lawson;
- Iranian sculptor Aref Montazeri;
- Spanish artist Antonio Santin;
- Iranian sculptor and painter Parviz Tanavoli;
- Afghan-Canadian artist Shaheer Zazai;
- Artists Bijan Ghaseminejad and Shoeib Gorgani.
Reflecting on the exhibition, curator Behrang Samadzadegan emphasizes its challenge to the historical stereotypes of exotic Orientalism associated with carpets. “I’ve sought out artists who have shown remarkable resilience in their work, standing against the dominance of Eurocentric art history,” Samadzadegan explained. He said that for him, incorporating carpets into contemporary art, especially from the Middle East, serves as a stark reminder of cultural colonialism.
To get more information about Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy, please go to the show’s official web page.
In addition, you might be interested in exploring Immortal Mirror by Aref Montazeri, which is also currently on view at the Leila Heller Gallery.
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