Carpets & Kilims exhibition 29 March - 13 April 2008 in West Sussex UK 

29 March - 13 April at Pots and Pithoi, The Barns, Turners Hill, West Sussex, UK

Recently returned from a sourcing trip in Iran, Kim and Mahmut of Yashar Bish have assembled a collection of Tribal rugs and trappings from the Qashqai tribes people in southern Iran. 

These unique and powerful people live in tents and still migrate twice yearly to high and low pastures to avoid the hot summers and cold winters relying on the rearing of sheep and goats in order to maintain their independent lifestyles. The landscape in the tribal areas of southern Iran can be very dry and barren, however, the Qashqai women wear bold and beautiful colours which are thought to energise and inspire them in what would otherwise be a close to colourless countryside. 

The rugs these women weave using soft and beautiful wool have intricate and elaborate designs with depictions of the birds, animals and flowers that they live amongst and boast a vast range of earthy terracottas and delicate jades to the more vibrant burgundies and autumnal russets.

"We feel privileged to have been able to see these tribal peoples in a country where tribal life is becoming more and more difficult to sustain" says Kim Yashar-Bish to Jozan Magazine.

An exhibition held by Yashar Bish showing tribal Qashqai, Balouch, Mid Atlas and Anatolian carpets and kilims will take place between 29 March and 13 April 2008 and will be held at Pots and Pithoi, The Barns, Turners Hill, West Sussex, RH10 4QQ. Tel. 01273 671900.