Cultured Pallets series are transient installations which grow out of an ongoing process of marking shipping pallets with an email address and a variety of collected motifs and designs. The cultured pallets are then sent back into circulation. Soheila completes the project by tracking the pallets after they leave the exhibition and engaging in correspondence with the individuals who find them. These installations focus on the notion of translation in its etymological meaning as the process of ‘carrying across’ and employ shipping pallets as metaphors for the transfer of units of ‘culture.’ The pallets also represent ‘in-betweeness’ by being in a permanent state of transit.
The pattern for the Vagireh Pattern is based on a design from a Persian book of illuminations. This particular pattern is a continuous design that can be expanded in both directions. The word “vagireh” means transmittable or contagious. This installation reflects these ideas in both a practical and conceptual way. Practically, the inscribed pattern can be expanded onto a larger number of pallets, and the pallets will re-enter circulation. Conceptually, the installation refers to the spread (transmittance) of cultural motifs in various societies.
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“Cultured Pallets: Hafnarborg”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Hafnarborg”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Hafnarborg”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Reykjavik I”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Reykjavik I”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Reykjavik II”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Reykjavik III”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Reykjavik IV”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Reykjavik V”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Hafnarfjörður”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023
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“Cultured Pallets: Aga Khan Museum”, laser-etching & acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023, photo: Aly Manji
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“Cultured Pallets: Aga Khan Museum”, laser-etching & acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023, photo: Aly Manji
![]( "small-2023-06-02-Exhibition Cultured Pallets-AKM-Aly Manji-2777")
“Cultured Pallets: Aga Khan Museum”, laser-etching & acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023, photo: Aly Manji
![]( "small-2023-06-02-Exhibition Cultured Pallets-AKM-Aly Manji-2791")
“Cultured Pallets: Aga Khan Museum”, laser-etching & acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023, photo: Aly Manji
![]( "small-2023-06-02-Exhibition Cultured Pallets-AKM-Aly Manji-2775")
“Cultured Pallets: Aga Khan Museum”, laser-etching & acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 2023, photo: Aly Manji
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“Cultured Pallets: Idea Exchange”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 95” x 96”x 41”, 2022, photo: Bradley Southam
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“Cultured Pallets: Idea Exchange”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 95” x 96”x 41”, 2022, photo: Bradley Southam
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“Cultured Pallets: Idea Exchange”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 95” x 96”x 41”, 2022, photo: Bradley Southam
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“Cultured Pallets: True North”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 24’x 48″x 10′, 2019
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“Cultured Pallets: True North”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 24’x 48“x 10′, 2019
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“Cultured Pallets: True North”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 24’x 48″x 10′, 2019
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“Cultured Pallets: SAIB”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 24’x 48″x 10′, 2018
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“Cultured Pallets: SAIB”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 24’x 48″x 10′, 2018
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“Cultured Pallet: Indian Chest at Farmhouse I”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallet, 36″x 48″x 4.5”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallets: Ross Creek”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 40″x 48″x 36”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallets: Ross Creek”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 40″x 48″x 36”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallet: Annie’s Garden”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallet, 40″x 24″x 4.5”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallet: Annie’s Garden”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallet, 40″x 24″x 4.5”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallet: Scot’s Bay”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallet, 40″x 48″x 4.5”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallet: Scot’s Bay”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallet, 40″x 48″x 4.5”, 2018
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“Cultured Pallet: Indian Chest at Farmhouse II”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallet, 40″x 48″x 4.5”, 2018
![]( "Soheila Esfahani Cultured Pallet Indian Chest at farmhouse II, detail, mixed media on wooden pallet 2018")
“Cultured Pallet: Indian Chest at Farmhouse II”, mixed media on wooden shipping pallet, 40″x 48″x 4.5”, 2018
![]( "Soheila Esfahani Cultured Pallets Windsor acrylic on wooden pallets 2017")
“Cultured Pallets: Windsor”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 144″x 120″x 4.5”, 2017
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“Cultured Pallets: Windsor”, acrylic on wooden shipping pallets, 144″x 120″x 4.5”, 2017
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“Cultured Pallet: FMC”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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“Cultured Pallet: FMC”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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“Cultured Pallet: FMC”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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“Cultured Pallet: Homage to Jeannie Thib”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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“Cultured Pallet: Homage to Jeannie Thib”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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Cultured Pallet: Homage to Jeannie Thib”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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“Cultured Pallet: Homage to Jeannie Thib”, mixed media on wooden pallet, 10″x 31″x 47”, 2015
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Cultured Pallet: Persian”, acrylic on laser-etched wooden pallet, 5″ x 40″x 48”, 2014
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“Cultured Pallet: Persian”, acrylic on laser-etched wooden pallet, 5″ x 40″x 48”, 2014
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“Cultured Pallet: TO”, mixed media on wooden pallets, 5″ x 96″x 120”, 2014
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“Cultured Pallet: TO”, mixed media on wooden pallets, 5″ x 96″x 120”, 2014
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“Cultured Pallet: TO”, mixed media on wooden pallets, 5″ x 96″x 120”, 2014
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“My Place is Placeless”, laser-etched wooden pallets, 10’ x 12’x 40”, 2013
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“My Place is Placeless”, laser-etched wooden pallets, 10’ x 12’x 40”, 2013
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“My Place is Placeless”, laser-etched wooden pallets, 10’ x 12’x 40”, 2013
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“My Place is Placeless”, laser-etched wooden pallets, 10’ x 12’x 40”, 2013
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_004")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_005")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_006")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_007")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_008")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_009")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_010")
“Cultured Pallets: KW”, stenciled recycled wooden pallets, approx. 60’ x 10’x 40”, 2011
![Photo of work from the Trans Series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_trans_006")
“The Vagireh Pattern”, Laser-etched wooden shipping pallets, 62”x48”x40”, 2010
![Photo of work from the Trans Series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_trans_007")
“The Vagireh Pattern”, Laser-etched wooden shipping pallets, 62”x48”x40”, 2010
![Photo of work from the Trans Series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_trans_008")
“Rothko: Golden Stack”, Altered wooden pallets, posters, 2010
![Photo of work from the Trans Series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_trans_009")
“Rothko: Golden Stack”, Altered wooden pallets, posters, 2010
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_001")
“Cultured Pallets: UWO”, Altered & stenciled recycled pallets, dimensions varies, 2010
![Photo of the Cultured Pallets series by artist Soheila Esfahani]( "soheila_cultured-pallets_003")
“Cultured Pallets: UWO”, detail, Altered & stenciled recycled pallets, 2010
[…] Recently, curator and writer Noa Bronstein wrote an article on client Soheila Esfahani (www.soheila.ca) for Rungh. The article, Cultured Pallets: Translating the Global, looks at Soheila’s ongoing project that engages with the use of shipping pallets as a way to interrogate circulation with regards to cultural exchange. In her artist statement on this body of work Soheila writes “[t]hese installations focus on the notion of translation in its etymological meaning as the process of ‘carrying across’ and employ shipping pallets as metaphors for the transfer of units of ‘culture.'” (read more) […]