Behnaz Fatemi: Sumâq / Sumac / سماق

During a time of transition, sumac held a quiet, steady presence in artist Behnaz Fatemi’s life. It naturally found its way into her artistic practice, grounding her to the respective places she calls home.

"The sumac tree first appeared to me in Canada with its twisting red branches and vibrant leaves—a quiet yet striking presence. In Iran, I knew sumac only as a spice: crimson, ever-present, and above all, sour. That sharp, sour taste carries memory—of food, family, healing, and home. I began collecting its fallen branches, searching for something familiar. In my studio, they took on new life—bridging a poetic relationship between myself and the environment, between memory and material, grief and growth." - Behnaz Fatemi, artist.

In her exhibition Sumâq / Sumac / سماق, she explores the various ways sumac has become an essential symbol in her life. Through video and other installations, the exhibition examines the themes of connection, belonging, resilience, healing, diasporic grief, and transformation.

Sumâq / Sumac / سماق is on display in the Preston Gallery until December 7, 2025.

Explore human-centered stories about the experience of immigrating to Canada from a diverse selection of authors in the booklist featuring titles from the Cambridge Public Library collections and inspired by Sumâq / Sumac / سماق.

Note: Sumac is used in this show.