Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
Do come along to meet your neighbours, enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out what is happening in Highgate.
The planning committee often have someone on hand to answer planning queries.
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
Voxcetera chamber choir returns to St Michael’s with one of the best-loved great choral works, and music from the celebrated James Whitbourn, who died last year.
JAMES WHITBOURN
Requiem Canticorum and All shall be Amen and Alleluia
“A truly original communicator in modern British choral music” – The Observer
“Whitbourn’s works are widely admired for their sophisticated ability to connect directly with performers and audiences alike” – Gramophone
In Requiem Canticorum, a haunting soprano saxophone weaves through lush, sustained choral harmonies, while All shall be Amen and Alleluia sets soothing and joyous singing to bright shards of piano and triumphant organ.
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem)
Brahms’ gorgeous, stirring Requiem is one of the great choral works, full of warmly rich harmonies. Inspired perhaps by the death of his mother, and that of his friend and fellow composer Robert Schumann, its music evokes comfort, loss, fear, peace and even joy. Of the great, popular requiems, Brahms’ is celebrated as being less a mass for the dead than an offering of solace for those who mourn. Jane Hopkins conducts Voxcetera, soprano Bethany Partridge and baritone Angus McPhee and a chamber ensemble, using Iain Farrington’s exquisite arrangement of the score for eight players. It promises to be both a grand and intimate experience.
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Sunday lunchtime concert: Viola Lenzi and Isabella Gori
Sunday 23rd March
12 noon
10A South Grove N6 6BS
Entry £15 including a glass of Buck’s Fizz
Pianists Viola Lenzi and Isabella Gori will be combining forces on the Highgate Society piano to play us some four handed jazz and folk inspired music.
Think Gershwin, Greig and Dvořák – Slavonic dances, Norwegian dances, Rhapsody in Blue and three Gershwin preludes. A colourful tapestry for dance, culture and virtuosity!
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
LEARN TRADITIONAL KUNG FU & TAI CHI
from Three-Time International Gold Medallist
DANIEL SHAW-ABULAFIA
at The Highgate Society, 10A South Grove, London N6 6BS
Children: Mondays weekly, 17.45 to 18.30 from September 26th
Adults: Mondays weekly, 18.30 to 19.30 from September 26th
COME TO A FREE TRIAL CLASS!
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
The class is suitable for beginners and is friendly and inclusive. Style is Hatha yoga with various influences – gentle, but still delivering strength and flexibility. Come and try a class to enhance your sense of wellbeing, release stress and tension and to experience deep relaxation. Mats provided, free parking (for now, but check signs!) no need to book – just turn up. The class is in the beautiful church – it’s set back a bit and has big blue doors. The class is mixed level/mixed ability/mixed age. I am a registered BWY teacher and fully insured. For more info about me/my yoga, have a look at my website
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm
Come and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
This exhibition celebrates the elegance of Persian script, where tradition meets contemporary expression through the hands of skilled calligraphers Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar and Razieh Riazati.
Tahmineh and Saeid Palizdar are a dynamic father-daughter calligraphy duo who breathe new life into Persian calligraphy, blending heritage with modern interpretations. Their work embodies a deep-rooted passion for the fluidity and elegance of Persian script.
Saeed Palizdar is an accomplished calligrapher with a deep-rooted passion for Persian calligraphy, which he began exploring in Iran in the 1980s. With an extensive background in traditional scripts such as Nastaliq and Shekaste, his work reflects years of dedication to preserving and evolving this ancient art form. Recently, Saeed has been blending modern techniques with traditional calligraphy, incorporating mixed media and acrylic on canvas to create striking compositions. The elegance and precision of his work showcase the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy, while his exploration of new methods breathes fresh energy into the art.
Tahmineh Palizdar’s work is a vibrant, youthful expression of Persian calligraphy, characterized by bold colours and dynamic forms. Trained from a young age under the guidance of her father, Saeed, she has built upon traditional techniques to create her own distinctive approach. By blending modern sensibilities with classical forms, she brings a playful and experimental element to the art. Through the use of vivid colours, her pieces convey a sense of energy and movement, while still honouring the grace of Persian script. Tahmineh’s work seeks to connect the rich heritage of calligraphy with a contemporary perspective, offering a fresh interpretation that resonates with today’s audience. To learn more about Tahmineh and Saeid, please visit their Instagram.
Razieh Riazati was born in Tehran in 1976. Although she pursued a degree in clinical psychology, her passion for the arts was ever-present. Her journey eventually led her to calligraphy, igniting an enduring fascination with this expressive art form. “Calligraphy feels like a harmonious dance between structure and creativity. Every brushstroke, like words on a canvas, holds boundless meaning.” Razieh’s works are deeply inspired by the poetry of Victor Hugo, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, and Sohrab Sepehri. Her paintings spontaneously emerge from this poetic influence, using vibrant acrylic and oil colours to capture profound philosophical themes. She eventually founded Raaz Art, a brand with a name that blends her own name and the Farsi word for “mystery,” symbolizing the enigmatic beauty inherent in her creations. To learn more about Razieh and her work, please visit her Instagram.
Private View
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Opening Dates & Hours
Written Wonders will be on display in the Upper Gallery, our vibrant first floor space, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
A simple bedtime story swirls into a surreal tale of four flawed souls stuck in purgatory—a celestial bathroom—in this irreverent yet warmhearted new musical with songs by German pop-rock star Tobias Künzel (Die Prinzen) and Mark Underwood.
With four new arrivals but only three spots in the afterlife, St. Peter is barely keeping his head above water. As each soul pleads their case for a second chance on Earth, ‘help’ arrives in the form of (puppet) Elvis and, you guessed it, (puppet) former leader of the German Democratic Republic, Erich Honecker.
With hints of Avenue Q, this toe-tapping romp through the absurdity of bureaucracy, the search for meaning in utter chaos, and the hope that even the most flawed among us can find redemption promises to be anything but bog-standard.
Handmade In Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the Highgate Literary & Scientific
Institution in Highgate Village.
The fairs feature up to 30 of the finest designer/maker/artists and contemporary crafts people
working today. Exhibitors are local, from around the UK and (occasionally) from overseas. All
are passionate about producing distinctive, skilled work in their specific discipline, the fair is
carefully curated to offer diversity in work and price.
Handmade In Highgate offers a wonderful opportunity to meet and buy from the exhibitors and
have a look around the beautiful, historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution, which is
generally closed to the public.
The exhibitor line up always changes, with the exception of the wonderful artisan baker: The Two
Shuks and our horticulturists John Cullen Gardens who join us with a superb selection of their
home grown medicinal plants, shrubs and flowers grown by them in Lincolnshire.
As ever, the fair is free to enter and everyone is welcome!
The historic HLSI library will be open from midday – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday for a book
sale.
We hold 3 fairs a year, the Spring Fair will take place on:
Friday 28 March 2025: 17.00 – 20.00
Saturday 29 March 2025: 10.00 – 18.00
Sunday 30 March 2025: 11.00 – 17.00
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration for Nowruz – also known as Persian New Year – with talks from incredible speakers, a ‘Haft-sin’ Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more.
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March – 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeWritten Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | Free8 March – 3 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | Free11 March – 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeThursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free – please bookNowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free – please bookSunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am – 5pm | FreeNowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am – 3pm | FreeFriday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50
Part of our Nowruz festival, experience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Through a fusion of digital, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Sahar Haghgoo, Sahar Khaleghi and Shokoufeh Fallah explore themes of identity, nature, and the interplay between reality and imagination.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib is an Iranian-born, London-based fine artist and illustrator, Mehrdad’s work captures the essence of his dual heritage, weaving together nostalgia, culture, and art with humour. Mehrdad is an important part of the Lauderdale House family and is for the second year curating our entire Nowruz Festival. To learn more about Mehrdad and his work, please visit his Instagram.
Sahar Haghgoo is an illustrator and painter originally from Iran and now based in London. Her work explores the concepts of beauty and the sublime, focusing on the interplay between these two ideas. Sahar examines how beauty can evoke pleasure and satisfaction, while the sublime inspired feelings of awe, respect, and even fear. It seems that by drawing and visualizing monsters, Sahar discovers unknown parts of herself, and by shaping them, she also shapes her own existence and nature. Her work is deeply connected to the aesthetics of nature, exploring themes of monsters in nature, the unknown, change and transformation, and the destruction of beauty. Sahar is particularly interested in exploring this contrast through themes of size and proportion, familiarity and unfamiliarity, and the emotional responses they elicit. She often work with different techniques to capture these nuances and create pieces that invite viewers to consider the complex relationship between these seemingly opposing forces. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website or her Instagram.
Sahar Khaleghi is an Iranian artist now based in London. Her art passionately addresses the pressing concerns of her homeland. Sahar’s works have been exhibited in numerous countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and China. In 2018, Sahar was honoured with the Special Award at the International Gold Panda Cartoon and Illustration competition in China. Recently, her art featured prominently at the 52nd Belgrade Golden Pen Illustration Festival exhibition! and has gained recognition in several international magazines. Having grown up as a young woman in Iran, Sahar has choosen to weave modern and historical influences into her art, aiming to illuminate the experiences of women across cultures. Through her creations, Sahar seeks to convey powerful narratives that transcend borders, speaking to the challenges and triumphs of women worldwide. To learn more about Sahar and her work, please visit her website, her Instagram or her Facebook page.
Shokoufeh Fallah is a London-based Iranian Printmaker. While drawing and painting are important parts of her practice, printmaking holds a special place in Shokoufeh’s work thanks to its exquisite texture, its relation to fertility and birth, and the way the tools allow her to reach a world fraught with expressive colours, lines and textures. Shokoufeh is influenced by various themes, from that of womanhood and eroticism, which are ingrained with expressive colours and create intense, two-fold, intermingled spaces, to the reciprocity of life and death, which is accompanied with elements like fish, birds and trees taking away their freedom through rigid lines entangling them. Humans, forms and colours of her works are accompanied with a sort of embroilment, along with a sizzling rhythm which catapults Shokoufeh out from her inner world together with a cultural nostalgia, allowing her to conceive the persistence of life in the outer world through clinging the colours and forms. To learn more about Shokoufeh and her work, please visit her website.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Beyond Worlds will be on display in the Lower Gallery, our airy ground floor room at the front of the House, during gallery opening times from Wednesday 5 March – Monday 31 March 2025.
The gallery is generally open:
- Monday – Tuesday : 12pm to 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am to 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12pm to 4pm
Please note that the gallery hours may change or the gallery may close at short notice due to private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our most up-to-date opening hours by clicking here or calling us on 020 8348 8716 the day before your visit.
We are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women’s Club members in celebration of Nowruz.
Yaran Women’s Club is a non-profit constituted organisation and is solely established to help women of all ages who are suffering from isolation and loneliness, anxiety and depression or any other kind of mental health issues. It is a safe place for women and their children.
Yaran’s aim is to promote the members’ emotional health and confidence and to encourage them back to the society. Yaran provides a sense of community and helps women develop friendship through social, educational and free courses and activities. It is a registered charity, non-partisan which does not endorse any political or religious group or position.
The collaborative exhibition was created by women of Yaran and their teacher Mitra, a professional textile artist, combining paintings with artificial flowers. Each member contributed by sticking flowers onto the canvas and textile and painting over them, producing unique and amazing works of art.
Widely observed in various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, the Balkans, and East Africa, Nowruz has evolved with diverse traditions centred around the theme of rebirth. Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz announces the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. These beautiful works represent not only the rebirth heralded in by Nowruz, but also the transformative power that Yaran Women’s Club has on its members.
Please join us at the private view of the exhibitions on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm and helps us launch our Nowruz Festival.
It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. We kindly ask that you RSVP via email if you plan on attending to help us get a sense of numbers.
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran exhibition will be on display in the Courtyard during gallery opening times from Monday 10 March – Thursday 3 April. The Courtyard is an indoor space which is as our community gallery at the heart of the House.
- Monday – Tuesday : 12 – 4pm
- Wednesday : 11am – 3pm
- Thursday – Sunday : 12 – 4pm