WITH MY ROOTS UK Biennale gives voice to 100 Iranian artists
Show has opened against the backdrop of continuing conflict and political uncertainty
The sixth Iranian Contemporary Art Biennale has opened in Britain against the backdrop of continuing conflict and political uncertainty, bringing together artists from Iran and the global diaspora in a major exhibition centred on identity, memory and cultural continuity.
Titled WITH MY ROOTS, the biennale showcases works by emerging and established Iranian artists spanning painting, photography, digital art, installation and video. Alongside artists living in Iran, the exhibition features contributions from creatives based in the UK and 17 countries across Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Organisers say the event aims to shift attention away from geopolitics and towards the voices and lived experiences of Iranian artists.
Marina Panahi, founder and director of Capital Art London, said: “WITH MY ROOTS is an opportunity for British and global arts audiences to move outside the language of politics and conflict, and hear the voices of Iranian artists worldwide; discover more about the country’s artistic heritage, culture, visual language and legacy.”
At the heart of this year’s programme is Eternal Iran, a special curatorial section exploring the country’s cultural heritage, artistic traditions and history. The collection examines how Iranian identity has endured and evolved across generations, borders and political upheaval.
Featured artists include Hojjat Shakiba, Mehdi Fallah, Ahmad Ariamanesh, Ahmad Mohammadpour, Azadeh Akhlaghi, Esmaeil Rashvand, Habib Derakhshani, Mohsen Keiany, Maryam Mirzaie, Mohammad Bozorgi, Bahram Ghonchepour and Siavash Sofinejad. The section also includes an installation by Homa Bazrafshan and video art by Simin Keramati.
A significant focus of the exhibition is devoted to artists currently living in Iran, many of whom have experienced recent violence and instability first-hand. Organisers said considerable logistical challenges had been overcome to transport works to London.
Among the featured pieces are paintings by Mohammad Bozorgi and Ahmad Ariamanesh, alongside photography by Majid Saeedi, Alireza Memariani and Shahla Khodadadi. The biennale also presents battlefield photography by female artists Maryam Saeidipour and Maryam Rahmanian.
Curators describe the exhibition as more than an art showcase, positioning it instead as a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange at a time of heightened global debate around identity, ethnicity and belonging.
As discussions around migration and cultural identity continue across Britain and beyond, the biennale’s organisers say the exhibition serves as a reminder of art’s ability to bridge divides and connect communities across borders.
WITH MY ROOTS is open at Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1 until Saturday 30 May, 10am-5pm daily.