A curated selection of rarely seen works from the last fifteen years of Shahrzad’s career, revolves around the themes of love, spirituality and identity, ideas which also appear behind the creation of the mural, Oneness.
With paintings on loan from Ghaffari’s own collection, highlights include a highly personal piece, Lion and Sun (2010), a rare example of figurative painting created in response to protests against the Iranian regime in 2009. Reinterpreting an ancient Persian symbol, Shahrzad depicts a female lion, to represent the strength and courage of women in the face of oppression. Written over the lion’s flank and sword are the words ‘my body, my choice, my rights’, which allude to Shahrzard’s views on feminism, particularly in the context of the “Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, which has gained momentum in Iran and beyond in recent year.
The exhibition closely examines the central ideas behind Oneness, presenting her preparatory painting on canvas, and a short film on the making of the work. In 2018 Leighton House commissioned Shahrzad Ghaffari to create an artwork for a new helical staircase, located in a recently redeveloped wing. Created as a direct response to the architecture and historic interiors, in particular Leighton’s Arab Hall, for Ghaffari Oneness ‘is a meeting of East and West and of old and new. It is a totem of union, evolving identity, and ultimately, an expression of love.’

Get a National Art Pass and explore Leighton House
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at Leighton House
10% off in café
10% off in café throughout the first year after reopening
Expires: 30 Dec 2023
How to get there
Leighton House
12 Holland Park Road, London, Greater London, W14 8LZ
020 7361 3783
Opening times
Opening hours
Wednesdays to Mondays, 10am – 5:30pm
Last entry 4:30pm
Refurbishments
In October 2022 Leighton House completed a major redevelopment that has provided the museum with improved visitor facilities, additional exhibition space, a dedicated learning centre and a brand new cafe overlooking the garden, all located in a new wing which also houses a welcoming reception area and shop.
How to get there
What else is on at Leighton House
Exhibitions nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.