A Persian Paradise Exhibition at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, National Trust (2023-2024)

During the winter months, be transported to 1920s Persia in this immersive experience. In the 1920’s, the world’s interest in Persia’s rich oil assets led to a renewed fascination with Persian art and culture. Centring on the period 1925 to 1927, using photographs, correspondence, archaeological specimens, glass, ceramics and other objects, this immersive exhibition tells the story of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson time in Persia. Whilst they both had emotionally-significant same-sex partners throughout this period, nevertheless their time in Persia cemented their deep love for one another. Through the interplay of objects and memories - the worlds and strands of Vita and Harold’s writing rooms - the exhibition will explore the interweaving of this Persian experience with the creation of their own home and garden.