At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present, and to those emerging leaders in the community. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.

Always was, always will be.

Galleries are open today, 10am–5pm. Our exhibitions are always free.

Second Generation Collective

Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love) 

Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love) 

Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love) is a major new commission by Second Generation Collective. Established in 2020 by Iranian-Australian Bahá’í video artist Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson and performer, theatre-maker and musician Asha Kiani, the Second Generation Collective was formed around the intergenerational transmission of stories of Iran’s pre- and post-1979 revolution and experiences of displacement. Today comprising more than 20 emerging artists from the Iranian-Australian community in Perth, their practice spans film, performance, painting, sculpture, personal archives and installation.  

Second Generation Collective develops ideas for its work through a communal and conversational process of learning, remembering and sharing. Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love) will evolve through a series of workshops, guided nature walks and discussions. Developed in conjunction with creative advisor, Western Australian artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, the outcome of this sustained period of development will be a new moving image installation, titled Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love). Through an exploration of the Collective’s own dual identities and heritage, Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love) will draw attention to narratives and experiences of Iranian-Australians and issues of collective trauma, remembering, love and loss. 

Current members of the Second Generation Collective are Araan Kousari, Raneen Kousari, Naseem Taheri-Lee, Elisha Rahimi, Ryan Zare, Auston Javid, Jamal Fanaian, Vahid Schreiber, Aidee Varan, Armaan Zamani, Ashkaan Hadi, Khashayar Salmanzadeh, Ramona Zare, Danny Aghaie, Dr Hessom Razavi, Fariba Fanaian, Arjang Pirmorady, Gabriella Lillo, Renya Golestani, Karmel Faithi, Ashton Namdar, Asha Kiani and Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson. 

About the artists

The Second Generation Collective was founded in 2020 by Iranian-Australian Baha’i video artist Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson and performer, theatre–maker and musician Asha Kiani in collaboration with emerging artists from the Iranian-Australian community in Boorloo (Perth). Comprising migrants who fled Iran during the 1979 Revolution and their children who have grown up on Noongar boodja, the Collective encourages those who were displaced to document, share and creatively express their stories as a means of healing collective traumas and bridging generational gaps. Recent projects include ÁVÁREH آواره  & FOUND, PS Art Space, Fremantle, (2021) (as part of the Community Arts Network and Lotterywest’s Dream Plan Do ’20, supported by Propel Youth Arts, Centre for Stories and City of Fremantle); 900s (Of Storytelling), Blue Room Theatre, Perth, (2021); and Delara دل آرا, Carriageworks, Sydney (in partnership with Runway Journal) (2021). 

Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson has collaborated with arts organizations such as Next Wave, Forrest Research Foundation, SPACED, Perth Insitute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), Immerse Australia, MOORE Contemporary, Encounter Theatre, and The Blue Room Theatre, among others, to direct and develop immersive cinematic and theatrical experiences. Her video art installations have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, earning numerous prestigious awards and recognition for her social film practice.

Asha Kiani has been involved in storytelling projects with Centre for Stories, Perth Festival and Saga Sisterhood. In 2020, Kiani was awarded Best of (The Blue Room Theatre, 600 Seconds, Perth Fringe World Festival) for her debut work, Drift. Currently, Kiani works as a teaching artist for Barking Gecko Theatre Company, on the team at Blue Room Theatre and as a primary school teacher. She is also a member of Women of Music Production Perth (WOMPP) and is writing and producing her debut EP. 

Supporters

This project is supported by Creative Australia’s Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy (VACS) Major Commissioning Projects fund.