Under the Skin of Carpet

A carpet is more than a weaving. It is a story of migration, roots and shared memory.

North Ryde School of ArtsVenue

2025Year

Sahar MokhtariCurator and organiser

A performer stands beside a large hanging Persian carpet while a musician plays a setar

About the project

Under the Skin of Carpet brought artists and art lovers together to reimagine personal and collective stories through the warp and weft of a hand-woven Persian carpet.

The day combined a live performance, a carpet-weaving demonstration and a hands-on studio session. The carpet was cut into fragments, and each participant transformed their piece into an individual work of art to take home. The works were later exhibited together in Piece of Home (2025).

The performance

A performer holds a scarf beside an open suitcase while a musician plays a setar

A performer in white arranges objects on a small table on stage

Three performers stand before a hanging Persian carpet — The performers

Two people cut into a Persian carpet on stage — Cutting the carpet

Shokufeh Kavani speaking at a lectern — Shokufeh Kavani, speaker

The studio

Participants watch a carpet-weaving demonstration at a loom — Weaving demonstration

A participant cuts a fragment of carpet with scissors

A participant arranges carpet and calligraphy letters on her work

A participant carefully works on carpet fragments set on a black board

Two participants lift a carpet fragment over a framed work

A participant reflected in a round mirror as she places letters on her work

A participant smiles as she cuts carpet pieces on the floor

Credits

Curator and organiser: Sahar Mokhtari
Performers: Thelma Ghayyem, Nooshin Khairollahpour, Parto Nickhoush
Music: Sepideh Ahmadvand, setar (traditional Iranian instrument)
Host: Parishad Nourazar
Speaker: Shokufeh Kavani
Doll maker: Mitra Amiri
Poster design: Mahan Tavakoli
Photography: Arman Azadi

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