Saman and Sasan Oskouei (Aka Icy & Sot): Flora Urbanica

Saman Oskouei (born 1985) and Sasan Oskouei (born 1991) are multidisciplinary artists and brothers from Tabriz, Iran, currently located in Brooklyn, New York. With strong roots in urban culture, the brothers have collaboratively created a large portfolio consisting of installation, painting, sculpture, interventions, video and photography. From a vein of eloquent site-specific commentary on pressing political and social issues, the Oskouei brothers have gradually developed an abstract visual language – a continuation of their quest for simple yet powerful visual statements.

Nature is a constant reference in their current practice and has informed the duo’s work since their beginnings in Iran, where the mountainous regions around Tabriz offered freedom from the authoritarian rule of the Islamic Republic. It has since formed the backdrop of concise comments on climate change, the refugee crisis and political problems. At this point, their ongoing investigation into the rhythms of nature and the place of its changing seasons in our imagination has paved the way for a visual and sculptural idiom that takes the form of quiet, poetic gestures.

Meditating on the resilience and adaptability of the natural forces, the artists envision humanity forever enfolded in the ongoing processes of a nature in constant flux. Rather than loud or loaded statements, the Oskouei brothers excel in artistic expressions of an eye-opening lucidity that foster hope and continue to generate alternatives to the status quo.
Threaded through their practice is the constant reminder that right around the corner of the cities and societies we have built, there is always the possibility of a different world.