During the Christmas holiday period of late 2025 and early 2026, Damon Asadi delved into the carpet industry of Iran, culminating in the production of a short documentary. The search for a space in which to share this work ultimately led to the conception and curation of a wider interdisciplinary programme of film, art, design & photography at Reference Point, situated on the Arundel Street side of 180 Studios. Titled Temple of the Lady Sun, the exhibition brought together Iranian artists whose works explored themes of erasure, perseverance and cultural belonging through their relationship with their homeland. Conceived during a period of heightened political instability, when Iran was at war with the US and Israel and dominated international news coverage, the exhibition sought to offer a more nuanced perspective, focusing on the emotional realities of the Iranian lived experience. Rather than reducing geopolitical events to news headlines, the programme foregrounded personal narratives and artistic expressions. The project culminated in an exhibition publication, presented as part of the Central Saint Martins Graduate Showcase 2026, where it received one of the most prestigious awards at the university, the Re:generating Creativity Graduate Award. The book serves as both a record of Temple of the Lady Sun and an archival document, featuring each work alongside interviews with each participating artist reflecting on their emotional and cultural connections to Iran.
