Martin Rayment

Babak Esmaeli: REACTION Launching this Friday 7pm Residency and Solo Exhibition at The Carousel Nottingham, UK — May 2026 Curated by Martin Rayment The Carousel is proud to present a new solo exhibition by Iranian artist Babak Esmaeli, developed during his residency at the organisation. This powerful body of work offers a deeply personal reflection on Iran’s recent and historical events, seen through the lens of distance, memory, and lived experience. Originally from a small town in the south of Iran, Babak Esmaeli has been driven by a passion for creating since childhood. After studying graphic design, he forged a professional path as a cartoonist and illustrator. Now based in Nottingham for the past three years, his practice blends visual storytelling with political and emotional REACTION. He expresses his interpretation of his life in the Iranian regime at a distance without fear of execution. Both here and in Iran: his work inspires resistance, unity and REACTION. The current series explores the impact of events in Iran over the past forty-seven years. Through expressive, illustrative works, Babak captures how these moments are processed internally, particularly from the perspective of someone who, for many years, was unable to speak freely, and who now observes the situation from afar. The result is a poignant and thought-provoking collection that navigates themes of silence, displacement, and reflection. We encourage dialogue and reaction to continue the conversation beyond this exhibition. Exhibition Details Opening Night: Friday 1st May, 7pm – late Public Viewing: Every Saturday in May, 11am – 4pm Additional Visits: By appointment The exhibition will take place at The Carousel, Nottingham’s creative and cultural community hub, supporting artists through residencies, exhibitions, and collaborative opportunities. Email & Contact  Follow the artist and venue for updates: Instagram: @art.babak Email: [email protected] Instagram: @the___Carousel Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Just announced the incredible @benthos_official from Italy to play at @the___carousel along with @tothewallband and a new notts band called beastmarkethill - it’s also gonna be my birthday celebrations this year so let’s go big! #nottingham #lovemusic #livemusic #prog #posthardcore

#collageandcocktails #sketch #pig #hashtag

THANK YOU @bellacberry @noize_magazine for writing about us in their latest issue and getting across what we are trying to do. Scroll to read in full. You can order the physical copy via their site TWO GIGS NEXT WEEK ! 24th Feb @folklorehoxton NO CLIQUE # 12 with @asherfynn @softshadow____ @rubykyri @emilio.amh @laurhussey @fl0ra_bee @carysmaij @lauratenschert @miles_lavelle_golding_music and more. TIX ON DICE 27th FEB @oldenglandpub with @heinouswhiner @alexiizaak @squabtastic @xx_c3m3nt_xx @dryleaze @deadleavesl1e @louienewlands and IGH band

got hacked up ages ago so thought it put together some nonsense from before times also in honour of inside clowns who don’t get out much and times before times like now where I wanna make ‘rreeallltheatre’<<which is both not true at all and somewhat true but mainly what’s true, I am a chaos person. I hate clowns - Gaulier died. He once told me out of three other girls I would be the cheapest hooker :). The video camera footage is my prize procession filmed/directed by the next big thing @nezzle_ by the way

December ☆Tropical Santa shrine ☆Girls night: before, during and after ☆Animal paintings and markets with my mum ☆Fairy doors and Christmas meals ☆Quiches, cutiepies and cats #December #winter #family #Christmas

November ☆Night walks of ancient walls, ghost hunting and penguin finding is a good anniversary combination ☆Women walking, making and talking ☆Saying a heartfelt and loud farewell to the City Arts stage #November #autumn #anniversary #walking

Ending the year with gratitude, celebration and a very good Christmas feast with everyone that makes our creative home so special. Thank you for being part of The Carousel 💛 Photos from @ki__________mu

🎨 Etched into the fabric of our city.

WE DID IT AGAIN 🌼 🌻 🐝 Thankyou thankyou thankyou. What a dayyyyy. We’re still buzzing from all the love, laughter, and transformation that filled Sneinton t'other weekend. Walking away, we felt inspired, connected, and certain that when community comes together, there’s nothing we can’t do. Massive, massive thanks to everyone who popped by, got stuck in, or just cheered us on. Ain't no stoppppppin us now, this is just the beginning folks, and we canny wait to keep cracking on. Big big big ups to everyone who helped make this happen <3 @pan_ini_unofficially @rights4flies @thedogrossshow @ludditefolksession @emmanuel_instruments @the___carousel @artfestnottingham @mr.ray___ @ki__________mu @keepingitwild2016 @nottinghamshirewildlife @callow.andy @heatherhodkinsonart @aaroncbelcher @hollyyym2 @wildlifegardenproject for 📷 Love yas x

We know you won't wanna miss this one! You could be like @mr.ray___ enjoying a drink and some lovely music... This Sunday the 19th of October at the wonderful @hockleyhustle 🔥 It's our first performance as a band!! 🎉 So make sure you come down to @thegrovenotts at 3PM to support us (and all the other wonderful acts) Shout out to a couple of our personal favourites @earth_is_doomed and @pict_band who you won't wanna miss ❤️ Please note** @mr.ray___ is not in the band but is playing as @earth_is_doomed with @themanwhodiedinhisboat (our guitarist) so please give them some love too Mourning Routine Xoxo

STICK IT IN YA DIARY 🌼 🐝 📣 The posters out, and were goin full steam ahead. We just placed an order for about a bazillion plants an ungodly amount of seeds and who knows how many bulbs, MAD. Join us on October 25th for a day of environmental action, community spiritin' and biodiversity building, all while creating a greener, vibrant and more connected Sneinton. Stick a plant in' ground, stick 10, stick'a hundred. Stay for a cuppa, come say elo, come have a chin wag and get ya hands a lil dirty. FULL DETAILS | Date - Saturday October 25th Time - 11-4 Meeting Point - Sneinton Road Lawn (between the King Billy and FoodPrint What's Appenin - On the day, we'll be transforming greenspaces across Sneinton, with a massive focus on plants that support biodiversity and that bring a lil glint to your eye when ya walking on by. Well also be installing habitats, having a clear up, tidy up and showing some much needed love to our new little gardens across Sneinton. More of what's Appenin - . Well be dishing out free wildflower seed packets and shakers to everyone who comes and says eyup. . @thedogrossshow will be coming through with a special performance. . @the___carousel will be doing some free paste up workshops. YAY . @rights4flies will be spreading there message, and there ever present energy of insect solidarity . @keepingitwild2016 will be coming through with the fantastic young wilders to bring some knowledge and joy to our spaces . @sneinton.swag will be doing what they do best, absolutely love these lot . @pan_ini_unofficially will be delivering some free art workshops . @emmanuel_instruments and co will be bringing some musical magic AND MORE TO COME See ya on the 25th!! Well be sharing more about specific locations, plants and plans as we get closer to the 25th. Onwards & Upwards