Sarv (Persian Cypress), 2026

“Sarv (Persian Cypress)” is a symbol of freedom, resilience, and continuity deeply rooted in Iranian cultural memory. Known as the Sarv-e Azad (Free Cypress), it has long represented dignity, endurance, and the ability to remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Throughout Persian poetry, mythology, and visual culture, the Sarv embodies the persistence of life, hope, and the enduring human desire for freedom.

The body of the tree is composed of a handwritten text describing the mythical Tree of All Seeds from ancient Persian cosmology, believed to be the source of all vegetation, healing, and regeneration. Embedded within the blossoms are images of Iranians who suffered violence during the 2026 massacres. The flowers become vessels of remembrance, carrying traces of lives interrupted but not erased. Together, the tree and its blossoms transform into a living archive of collective memory, mourning, and resistance.

The background is layered with handwritten passages from The Blue Room by Sohrab Sepehri, a text shaped by memories of home, childhood, and belonging. These fragments of personal memory stand in contrast to the images held within the blossoms, where private histories meet collective trauma. Standing between loss and renewal, the Sarv bears witness to those who endured violence while continuing to resist. Rooted in memory and reaching toward the future, it carries the enduring hope for freedom.