Exhibition exploring Zoroastrian identity launches at SOAS Gallery
Running from 9 October to 13 December at the SOAS Gallery, this exhibition investigates themes of identity, memory and historical continuity in the Zoroastrian tradition.
This exhibition showcases the work of Karl Singporewala, 2025 Artist-in-Residence of the Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies. By weaving intricate layers of personal, communal and cultural memory, Singporewala invites viewers to reflect on the ways we perceive and measure our place in the universe.
This exhibition is free and open to the public during SOAS Gallery operating hours.
“Karl Singporewala: Cosmos, Memory, Scale" features an array of striking mixed-media works and installations by Singporewala from the past 15 years. It also features loaned objects from private collectors and leading cultural institutions, including the British Museum, adding context to the artist’s contemporary works.
This exhibition not only brings Zoroastrian heritage into dialogue with contemporary art but also highlights how philosophical and religious concepts remain profoundly relevant to modern life.
Singporewala’s residency at SOAS offered him opportunity to explore his art practice as a research tool, responding to questions of materiality, aesthetics and identity formation. The exhibition highlights his creative interpretations, engaging audiences on the theme of heritage preservation and contemporary relevance.
Alongside Singporewala, SOAS students also supported in the curation of the exhibition, providing an opportunity to expand further learning within Zoroastrian studies. Asmara Rabier, who is currently studying an MA in Curating Cultures, said:
“Working on the exhibition has been an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on curatorial experience. I contributed to the development of curatorial texts in the form of object labels and a print catalogue, as well as the exhibition installation and wider conceptual framing, which deepened my understanding of how objects can be interpreted for different audiences.
A highlight was working with renowned contemporary artist and architect Karl Singporewala and collaborating with senior colleagues from SOAS, the Royal Academy of Arts and the British Museum. Working alongside fellow students and staff across departments has shown me how collaborative exhibition-making can open new perspectives and dialogues.”
Dr Mariano Errichiello, Co-Chair and Executive Director of the SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies, noted:
“Singporewala’s work beautifully encapsulates our Institute’s vision of fostering innovative, interdisciplinary conversations. This exhibition not only brings Zoroastrian heritage into dialogue with contemporary art but also highlights how philosophical and religious concepts remain profoundly relevant to modern life.
The exhibition has been made possible through generous support from the SOAS Curation Panel, the Zeena Ralph Memorial Fund, the Special Collections of SOAS Library, the SOAS Culture Research Fund, the British Institute of Persian Studies, the British Museum, the Opera di Religione della Diocesi di Ravenna, Dr Zar Amrolia and Creative Crawley.
It will be accompanied by a programme of public talks and guided tours, fostering a deeper understanding of Singporewala’s creative process and the broader implications of Zoroastrian thought for contemporary society."
About Karl Singporewala
Karl Singporewala RWA RIBA (b. 1983) is a chartered architect, artist and RWA Academician at the Royal West of England Academy of Art. In 2024 he founded Karl Singporewala + the design bureau (KSdb), which currently has architecture projects in Bristol, Brighton, London, Manchester and Crawley. His practice merges architecture with sculptural maquettes, often exploring personal and cultural narratives, and in the context of his solo exhibition inspired by his Parsi Zoroastrian heritage. His innovative work combines traditional and digital techniques, exhibited internationally, including at the Saatchi Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts and V&A.
About the SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies
Established in 2018 through a generous donation from Mr Shapoor Mistry, the Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies provides an open, vibrant and non-confessional research and learning environment for students, scholars, the wider public and the world-wide Zoroastrian community. The Institute’s teaching and research encompass all aspects of Zoroastrianism across history, religion, philosophy, languages, arts, archaeology, society and heritage, addressing global contemporary challenges.
