Massoud Hayoun: Paper Ships, A Moment Remembered at Larkin Durey

On Thursday, 26 March 2026, art lovers gathered at Larkin Durey, 13 Mason’s Yard, London SW1Y 6BU, to celebrate the opening of Massoud Hayoun: Paper Ships, a compelling solo exhibition that ran until 24 April 2026. The reception, held from 6 – 8 pm, brought together a lively audience of collectors, creators, and cultural enthusiasts to experience one of the most thoughtful bodies of work to emerge in London this spring.

Presenting his third solo show with Larkin Durey, Los Angeles–based artist Massoud Hayoun continued his deeply personal investigation into identity, memory, displacement and resistance through painting. Drawing on his North African heritage and experiences as a former journalist, Hayoun uses his art to document the shock waves of colonial histories, global political tensions, and the resilience of everyday people.

Throughout Paper Ships, Hayoun’s canvases explored themes of exile and solidarity. Figures rendered in his signature bluish palette traverse scenes rooted in both personal and collective histories. Works paid tribute to acts of courage — from unnamed guardians watching over workers in Los Angeles to coalitions of activists on the frontlines of humanitarian efforts. Symbols of hope and continuity, such as endangered monarch butterflies, the lighthouse of Alexandria, or family archive photographs, were woven throughout the exhibition, encouraging viewers to consider our shared humanity in tumultuous times.

The opening night was animated with conversation as guests engaged with the artist and each other, reflecting on how Hayoun’s work bridges the personal and the political. Paper Ships invited audiences to reflect on the stories that connect us across geography and time, a testament to art’s capacity to carry both memory and hope.