Daar - دار

The word "Daar" in Persian means both a tapestry loom and gallows—forms that eerily resemble each other. Growing up between Iran and Australia, I witnessed how differently tapestry and carpet making is valued in each culture. In the West, people focus primarily on financial value, while in Iran we learn about the labour, stories, and patterns from a young age, and about the women and girls in villages who create these pieces for a fraction of their final market price. This artwork continues my exploration of materials, influenced by Jim Hodges' "On We Go," Leila el Rayes' "Vulnerable & Volatile" and "Rippled Water," and Gian Manik's "You own the school, embrace your responsibility for its legacy." Like these artists, I play with unexpected materials—using chains and metal where one might expect softness. The carpet-like patterns and the way the piece hovers in the air reference both traditional craft and contemporary installation. The work deliberately evokes both meanings of "Daar"—the creative potential of the loom and the darker implications of the gallows—questioning how traditional crafts are valued and understood across different cultural contexts.