Resonating Narratives: The Visual Alchemy of Farhad Ahrarnia

Paul Hughes Fine Arts, Maiden Bradley
17 April - 30 June, 2026
By Appointment Only

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
Rumi

Paul Hughes Fine Arts presents "Resonating Narratives", an exhibition showcasing the Paul Hughes Collection of Pre-Columbian arts in conjunction with the works of the British-Iranian artist Farhad Ahrarnia. The show presents a fascinating dialogue that transcends the boundaries of time as it spans 3000 years of art which also defies geographical location. At its core, this collaborative effort seeks to challenge and transform our understanding of the art historical and archaeological canon of Pre-Columbian Andean arts, highlighting its profound impact on modern art developments in the 20th and 21st centuries. By juxtaposing ancient Andean art works with the contemporary vision of Farhad Ahrarnia, the exhibition aims to create a framework for re-conceptualising the cultural achievements of the ancient Andean civilisation in a manner that resonates with a broader audience today.

Farhad Ahrarnia (b. 1971) is an Iranian-British artist based between Shiraz and Sheffield. His work draws on a wide range of craft techniques and art historical references, including Saqqakhana, Russian Constructivism, Surrealism and various ancient cultures, through which he examines modernity and modernism beyond a purely Western context. Working across embroidery, collage, photography and mixed media, he combines traditional craft with contemporary imagery to question established cultural and historical narratives. Ahrarnia holds a degree in Experimental and Documentary Film Theory and Practice from the Northern Media School, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. His work is held in major collections including the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, LACMA and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.