Kurdish-Iranian Artist Bridges Cultures in Pasadena’s Arab American Heritage Month Exhibit

An award-winning Kurdish-Iranian graphic artist is bringing sacred geometry and mystical calligraphy to Pasadena this April, offering residents a unique cultural bridge during Arab American Heritage Month celebrations.

Throughout April 2025, La Pintoresca Branch Library will host an exhibition featuring the work of Kourosh Beigpour, an internationally recognized graphic artist who merges traditional Middle Eastern visual elements with contemporary design.

“My Kurdish-Iranian heritage shapes not only the content but also the form and feeling of my work. I draw heavily on sacred geometry rooted in Iranian architecture – compositions that reflect a deeper order and a search for spiritual harmony,” said Beigpour, whose works have been published in over 20 countries and are part of permanent collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The exhibition is significant for showcasing cultural intersections that transcend political boundaries in the Middle East. Although Beigpour is Kurdish-Iranian rather than Arab, his participation highlights shared aesthetic traditions across the region.

“While I’m Kurdish and Iranian, participating in Arab American Heritage Month highlights our shared histories, struggles, and aesthetic legacies. These intersections create powerful opportunities for solidarity and dialogue,” Beigpour explained.

Visitors to the exhibition will experience contemporary graphic design works that incorporate elements from Kurdish-Iranian visual traditions, particularly calligraphy.

“While Kurdish doesn’t have its own script, it has long been written in the Kurdo-Arabic alphabet, and I’m drawn to how the fluidity and abstraction of script can transcend literal meaning and become visual texture,” said Beigpour.

The exhibition also reflects mystical influences that emphasize introspection and transcendence.

“In this exhibition, you’ll see compositions that echo the meditative qualities of Sufi poetry and music, with repetition and abstraction used as tools for introspection and transcendence. The design becomes less about representation and more about evocation,” Beigpour said.

Born in Kermanshah, Iran in 1980 and currently based in Los Angeles, Beigpour has received numerous international awards, including the Communication Art Award for Typography in 2023 and the ADC Merit Award in the Type Design Competition in 2022.

For the artist, exhibiting in Pasadena holds special significance.

“Exhibiting in Pasadena is meaningful in a different way – it feels personal. There’s a strong sense of community here and a deep appreciation for multicultural narratives,” he said.

The exhibition is part of Pasadena’s celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, which began as a grassroots initiative in 2017 and has since gained significant recognition. The 2025 theme, “Arab American Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” emphasizes both heritage preservation and forward-looking inspiration.

The exhibition will be displayed at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., throughout April 2025, with no formal opening reception planned.