Jalal Sepehr

Venue

Museum of Contemporary Art of Lyon (macLyon)

Lyon

Born in 1968 in Tehran, Iran
Lives and works in Tehran, Iran

Jalal Sepehr constructs his shots with the meticulousness of a theatre director, choosing the settings and costumes for his models to create a narrative in images. This highly artistic work draws on references to Persian mythology and literature to create links between history and current events; the artist employs emblematic motifs such as traditional oriental carpets which, he suggests, can stand for an interweaving of different geographies and timeframes.

Sitting alone, with his back to us, at the end of a pier covered in colourful textiles, a man stares out to sea. The black suitcase at his side suggests he is about to embark on a crossing. The Persian carpets extend the perspective, creating a kind of bridge towards the horizon. Jalal Sepehr’s photographs hint at a journey to elsewhere, creating a narrative open to multiple interpretations — not unlike the title of the 17th edition of the Lyon Biennale: Les voix des fleuves Crossing the water.