Hassan Makaremi, who fled Iran in the early 1980s as a political refugee, will showcase his artwork at the Garance Gallery in Bergerac, Dordogne, from September 13 to 27. His upcoming exhibition represents decades of artistic evolution following his escape from the Iranian regime.
Makaremi welcomes visitors in his small studio on Rue de l'Alma in downtown Bergerac, where the walls display a fascinating collection of tribal masks, maps of Iran, and his own calligraphic works. A small showcase contains several books from the thirty or so he has authored throughout his career. Persian carpets, manufactured in Iran based on his original artwork designs, add warmth to the creative space.
Among the most symbolic items in his studio is a large bottle of Cyrhus, a Persian wine that is banned in Iran but which his family has begun producing again in the Bergerac region. This winemaking represents an act of resistance in exile against the mullah regime. "My son gave it to me for my birthday," Hassan Makaremi explains. "Maybe I'll open it for the opening reception. In any case, we'll definitely have a tasting."
The studio serves as a cabinet of curiosities that illustrates the multiple lives of its owner - engineer, computer scientist, psychoanalyst, and now accomplished painter and calligrapher. This diverse background reflects Makaremi's incredible journey from political refugee to established artist in his adopted French homeland.
Makaremi's son Masrour has also made headlines in the region, continuing the family's tradition of quiet resistance. The younger Makaremi has been perpetuating the ancient Persian winemaking culture in a confidential manner in Dordogne, with the 2023 harvest conducted manually by several women originally from Iran. Additionally, he demonstrated his support for the Iranian people during the World Cup in Qatar, making a statement of defiance against Iranian authorities during the football match between Iran and England at the Khalifa International Stadium.
The upcoming exhibition at Garance Gallery will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the artistic works of a man whose life embodies resilience, cultural preservation, and creative expression in the face of political oppression. Makaremi's art serves as both a bridge between his Persian heritage and French present, and a testament to the power of cultural resistance through creative expression.
