Maryam Bayat's Rug Sculptures Beckon Viewers into the Garden

Two blooming cypress trees made from repurposed Persian rugs greet visitors at the entrance to Unrolling Paradise, a new exhibition by Iranian American artist Maryam Bayat. 

In Iranian culture, Bayat explains, the cypress is a symbol of resilience, capable of surviving in any number of harsh climates. “It’s in our architecture, our rugs, our paintings, our poems,” she says. “Whatever the pressure and hardship, as Iranians, we continue.” The flourishing flowers that fill the installation, she adds, grow from that spirit.

In the show, on view through August 16 at California Center for the Arts Museum in the San Diego suburb of Escondido, Bayat transforms rugs into a sculpture garden inspired by the landscapes from her childhood in Iran. Flowers bloom across the gallery alongside a fountain, a menagerie of animals, and a series of objects named after teas and coffees, turning the space into a nostalgic vision of home.

The exhibition grew out of Bayat’s conversations with friends in 2023. Gathered around a table now installed at the back of the gallery, they reminisced about Shiraz, the historic city celebrated for its gardens and architecture. Those memories prompted Bayat to reflect on the relationship between the rugs she worked with and the lush landscapes of her childhood. Often understood as earthly representations of paradise, Persian gardens have long influenced carpet design, from their geometric layouts to their abundant floral imagery.