Tag: iran

Fatemeh Baigmoradi in ‘GRACE’ at Laurence Miller Gallery

Iranian-born artist Fatemeh Baigmoradi’s burnt photographs recall her father’s attempt to avoid arrest by burning his photos of events that tied him to an oppressed political minority after the Islamic Revolution in Iran.  The artist connects the resulting images – characterized by beautiful halos of color – to a Persian painting tradition that painted a glow around the heads of featureless holy figures.  Her installation, seen here in detail, is a standout in Laurence Miller Gallery’s ‘GRACE’ exhibition, a multi-faceted and fascinating exploration of gender, race and identity.  (On view in Chelsea through Feb 22nd).

Fatemeh Baigmoradi, installation view of selected works from the series ‘It’s Hard to Kill,’ 2017 at Laurence Miller Gallery, January, 2019.

Ali Banisadr at Sperone Westwater Gallery

From amid sweeping and energetic forms in Ali Banisadr’s painting ‘Myth’ emerge odd faces that suggest a camel (upper left) a clown with a tall, spotted cap (middle left) and a cast of slightly sinister characters. The Iranian born, NY-based artist explained that the paintings in his current show at Sperone Westwater Gallery were inspired by politics in the US; he suggests both mass migration and a barbed wire fence in the sky and a mass of menacing figures in the foreground. (On the Lower East Side through June 24th.)

Ali Banisadr, Myth, oil on linen, 66 x 88 inches, 2016.

 

Siah Armajani at Alexander Gray Associates

Iranian American artist Siah Armajani pays homage to New York School poet Frank O’Hara in this sculptural concept for a tomb. The table is a resting spot for a coffin and a gathering place for a collection of free-spirited chairs that merge with the table and resist sitting still. (At Alexander Gray Gallery through Dec 17th).

Siah Armajani, Tomb for Frank O’Hara, painted wood, 54 x 103 x 65 inches, 2016.
Siah Armajani, Tomb for Frank O’Hara, painted wood, 54 x 103 x 65 inches, 2016.

Rokni Haerizadeh in ‘A Storm is Blowing From Paradise’ at the Guggenheim Museum

Painting over You Tube video stills, Iranian artist Rokni Haerizadeh morphs familiar imagery into a setting for mythological creatures inspired by Persian tradition. Here, a building echoes the Guggenheim’s spiraling form but is surrounded by emergency vehicles, one of which has partially changed into a fish. (At the Guggenheim, in ‘A Storm is Blowing from Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa’ through Oct 5th).

Rokni Haerizadeh, one piece from the 24-part work ‘But a Storm is Blowing from Paradise,’ gesso, watercolor and ink on inkjet prints, 2014.
Rokni Haerizadeh, one piece from the 24-part work ‘But a Storm is Blowing from Paradise,’ gesso, watercolor and ink on inkjet prints, 2014.

Pamela Joseph at Francis M. Naumann Fine Art

Pamela Joseph’s censored paintings of iconic artworks, including the rendition of Matisse’s Blue Nude pictured here, look like humorously overzealous attempts to stop objectification of female bodies. In fact, Joseph is recreating the distortions imposed by Iranian censors on art books in Iran. (At Francis M. Naumann Fine Art on 57t Street through May 22nd).

Pamela Joseph, Censored Blue Nude by Matisse, oil on linen, 30 x 48 inches, 2014.