Lost lights

Saman (b. 1985) and Sasan Oskouei (b. 1991) are two multidisciplinary artist brothers from Tabriz, Iran, currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Their collaborative practice, initially known as Icy & Sot, began in the 2000s with engaging stencils on the streets of Tabriz, addressing social and political issues in a context of censorship and repression. In 2012, they emigrated to the United States, where they expanded their artistic scope to include installations, sculptures, performances and works on canvas. Their work is recognized for its visual simplicity and symbolic power, addressing themes such as borders, migration, women's rights, economic inequality and environmental crisis. Using a variety of materials, including wood, steel and natural elements, they create works that interrogate contemporary social and political structures. Their artistic approach emphasizes the message, choosing the most appropriate mediums to reinforce the impact of their ideas. Among their notable works is a permanent installation in Lisbon depicting the European flag made of wire mesh and barbed wire, symbolizing the challenges faced by asylum seekers. In 2025, their exhibition Flora Urbanica at Galerie Danysz in Paris marked a shift towards organic abstraction, exploring the resilience of nature in the urban environment through stylized plant forms and natural materials. Their work has been shown in international institutions such as the MOCO Museum in Amsterdam, the Saatchi Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Calais. Through their creations, Saman and Sasan Oskouei continue to offer a poetic and engaged reflection on contemporary issues, blending urban aesthetics with humanitarian concerns.