Past Iranian Exhibitions – Pars Place Gallery Archive

The Shape of Love

The Shape of Love is a powerful new art exhibition featuring the work of two internationally acclaimed artists: Iranian painter Ali Faramarzi and sculptor Maroulla. This dual exhibition invites viewers to experience love not just as an emotion, but as a visual and cultural language shaped by heritage, memory, and material.

Ali Faramarzi, a pioneering figure in contemporary Iranian painting, presents selections from his latest series, Garden of Eden. Rooted in his belief that “love is the foundation of Iranian culture,” these richly colored works blend traditional Persian miniature motifs and carpet designs with a bold, modern sensibility. Faramarzi, a self-taught artist whose career spans decades, was honored before the 1979 revolution and most recently presented at Stanford University. His paintings offer a deeply personal and poetic vision, reimagining love as both universal and distinctly Iranian.

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On the Cusp of Change – The Birth of Modern Graphic Design in Iran

Farhud Batmanglich revolutionized the graphic design and poster arts landscape during a transformative period in Iran’s history. Having arrived from the UK just three years before the Islamic Revolution, his visionary work brought a modern approach to cultural communication. His designs for iconic institutions such as the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, the Carpet Museum of Iran, the Women’s Organization of Iran, and the Iran America Society remain emblematic of this pivotal era.

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore these historically significant posters, once displayed in Iran's renowned museums, and to hear from Farhud Batmanglich himself as he shares his journey as a graphic designer—both during his time in Iran and later as he continued his career in the United States.

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Unseen – A Powerful Exploration of Women's Strength and Resilience

Unseen is a compelling series that delves into the untold stories of women—their struggles, strength, and resilience often overlooked by society. Through a seamless blend of contemporary techniques and Persian art influences, each piece invites viewers to uncover the delicate balance between the visible and the hidden, exploring the deeper layers of meaning beneath the surface.

Maryam Rassapour, an accomplished graphic artist and visual designer, presents a selection of evocative mixed-media works. Her art challenges audiences to look beyond the obvious, revealing the beauty and complexity of women’s lived experiences. Unseen serves as both a celebration and a call to action, urging us to recognize and honor the depth of stories waiting to be discovered.

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Yalda - Winter Solstice

Yalda honors the Persian celebration of the Winter Solstice, marking the last night of autumn and the first day of winter. Held on either December 20 or 21 in the Gregorian calendar, this is the longest night of the year. The exhibit highlights the importance of this seasonal transition, inviting artists to express their interpretation of Yalda or the beginning of winter through their unique motifs and mediums.

The exhibition features works by sixteen artists, showcasing a total of 30 artworks, offering diverse perspectives on this culturally and seasonally significant time.

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Radiance and Bloom

DC artists, Saya Behnam and Azadeh Sahraeian show their work beginning on November 3 through December 1. . Come see the kaleidoscope of colors created by Behnam and the patterns of line formations by Sahraeian. Both artists draw their inspiration from nature in their artwork. Behnam mixes colors that she extracts from plants, spices and other natural elements as her medium while Sahraeian's drawings allude to the formation process of genesis and growth in nature. The exhibition will continue through December 1, with an artist talk on Friday, November 15 from 7 to 9 pm which will be posted later. 

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Tales of Eternal Warriors

Tales of the Eternal Warriors depicts the plight of two artists, Parisa Faghih and Nahid Navab, who through their work portray stories of human tragedy, trials, and tribulations. Faghih, winner of the Ovissi 2023 Artistic Program Award, recounts scenes from the Shahnameh, an epic poem featuring Persian mythological figures and heroes. Navab, first prize winner of the Geometry and Calligraphy Award at IACC, focuses mainly on the struggles and hardships of modern-day women. Each of these artists has meticulously crafted their creations, and we are excited to showcase their work at IACC, Pars Place.

Tales of the Eternal Warriors will run from September 27 through October 23, with the opening reception on September 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. Be sure not to miss the surprise performance that’s in the works! 

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Geometry & Calligraphy

The Iranian-American Community Center (IACC), Pars Place is holding its first art show at its new location with the exhibit, Geometry & Calligraphy.

As Iranian art is so rich with both geometry as well as calligraphy, we are interested to see how contemporary artists can invoke these elements and produce interesting modern concepts and artwork.

Geometric patterns which also include calligraphy are the pinnacle of Persian art. Their abstract design due to their aniconic quality have adorned architecture and monuments throughout history and have been used as decorative elements on objects and art pieces.This exhibition will strive to highlight the importance and the harmonious play between geometric shapes and calligraphic forms.

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Past Exhibitions

The Shape of Love

On the Cusp of Change – The Birth of Modern Graphic Design in Iran

Unseen – A Powerful Exploration of Women's Strength and Resilience

Yalda - Winter Solstice

Radiance and Bloom

Tales of Eternal Warriors

Geometry & Calligraphy