Weaving Home: Carpets of SW Iran

Exhibition Details

Not far beyond the Strait of Hormuz, in the south-west corner of Iran, live the Qashqa'i, the Lur, and the Khamseh among other tribal peoples. For generations they have lived as nomadic pastoralists, shifting their herds of sheep and goats between summer pastures high into the Zagros Mountains and winter grazing on the plains. Migration, or kooch can cover 200-600 km and take between one to three months each way.

Beginning in the 1920's and 30's the state forced tribal peoples in the south-west provinces to begin to settle in villages and adopt new economic activities. In spite of brief periods when they were able return to pastoralism, from the 1960's access to traditional lands has been increasingly restricted and migration routes blocked. Compounding the situation, periods of severe drought and ongoing climate change are undermining pastoralism. Writing in 2013, anthropologist Lois Beck suggests that among the Qermezi Qashqa'i there are still pastoralists however many Qermezi are taking up agriculture, various urban-based jobs, or even, jobs in the oil and gas industry. 

The tribal peoples of south-west Iran are well known for producing unique and beautiful carpets some produced for their own use, some for trade. Woven on looms stretched out across the ground, weavers draw on a shared, memory-based archive of carpet designs and aesthetics. Motifs are inspired by their families, livestock, local birds, and animals as well as the plants that provide food, fodder, dyes, and medicines.

Weavers are also inspired by oral traditions; by stories, poetry, and folksongs. Though these seldom refer to carpets or weaving, they nevertheless express deep connections to the environment, the shared love of migration, and a longing to unite with the beloved. 

Nickle Galleries is fortunate to have a number of tribal carpets from SW Iran which are exhibited together here, for the first time. Colourful and densely patterned, they offer subtle reminders of the hopes and dreams, the creativity and resilience of the peoples who call this part of the world "home." 

Weaving Home: Carpets of SW Iran assembles textiles woven by Qashqa'i, Khamseh and other tribal weavers from Nickle Galleries permanent collection.

Curated by Michele Hardy.