Alireza Asbahi - CC

Alireza Asbahi, known as CC (b. 1969, Tehran), was the eldest of seven children. His father, a tailor, passed away when CC was in fifth grade, leaving him to support the family. CC began working in a garment factory in downtown Tehran.

His lifelong passion for handicrafts drew him to the Tehran Bazaar. He would spend his weeks exploring the stalls, buying rustic carpets and kilims to sell at the city’s Friday Market. When the market closed in 2019, CC became a taxi driver.

Meanwhile, To support his family, he purchased an industrial sewing and embroidery machine. His plan was to gather scraps from rug cleaning facilities and sew them into patchwork rugs. However, the machine was inadequate, and he couldn't afford an upgrade. One day, while in his workshop, he spontaneously created his first collage: a rug featuring the lion and sun motif.

Despite facing discouragement and criticism, CC persisted. He briefly explored the antique market but found it unsustainable. In the fall of 2019, he met Morteza Zahedi of Outsider Inn Gallery, who recognized his talent. With this support, CC now earns a living from his art, in addition to driving a taxi.