EXHIBITION AT MOTTAHEDAN PROJECTS Write me a Poem

The exhibition at Mottahedan Projects in Dubai is on view until March 17, 2015.

Iranian painting has always attracted the attention of world public for its original contributions to contemporary expressions of Islamic art. Behind such success undoubtedly lies an immense artistic tradition of Persian culture, which inspires the timeless symbolism so well outlined in the works of modern Iranian painters. Calligraphic skills, always a trademark of Iranian artists, are now adapted to contemporary aesthetics and a major contribution to the general understanding of abstract art.

The tradition of Taliq script with its lucid forms stands out and reflects the spirit of Iranian people as can be seen in the works of three Iranian artists Ezra Aghighi, Alireza Astaneh and Mohammad Bozorgi who are dedicated to taking this traditional art form forward into the contemporary 21st century expression and a new era.

'Write me a Poem' showcases the paintings that present a highly aesthetic approach to calligraphy; on one hand confronting the geo-political symbols, while on the other hand highlighting visual explorations that often border with graphic design. All in all, the works represent an exceptional overview of the tendency of Iranian contemporary art that definitely wants to be different and original.

Installation view / Courtesy of Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Installation view / Courtesy of Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Installation view / Courtesy of Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Azra Aghighi Bakhshayeshi

Azra Aghighi Bakhshayeshi b. 1968 into a religious family in Qom, Iran. Her father is an Islamic writer and historian and has published more than 40 books. The revered court calligrapher Mirza Karim Khoshnevish Tabhari, also has family connections to Bakhshayeshi, who inherited a handwritten Qur’an by the master. The artist’s upbringing and social surroundings have caused her to constantly engage and understand the importance of religion and this is reflected throughout her art.

Some of her recent exhibitions include 'The Next Generation: Contemporary Iranian Calligraphy' at Kashya Hildebrand Gallery in Zurich, Switzerland, 2012; 'Alternative Calligraphy' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran 2012; 'Female Calligraphers' at Cemal Resit Rey Cultural Center in Istanbul, Turkey, 2010; 'Calligraphy Festival' at ECO Cultural Institute in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 2010. Her work is in the permanent collection of Malaysian Islamic Museum, Tehran Contemporary Museum and is represented by Kashya Hildebrand Gallery in Zurich, Switzerland.

Azra Aghighi Bakhshayeshi, 2012, 200x110 cm, Oil on Canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Azra Aghighi Bakhshayeshi, 2012, 200x130 cm, Oil and silver leaf on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Azra Aghighi Bakhshayeshi, 2013, 152x168 cm, Oil on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Alireza Astaneh

Alireza Astaneh, b. 1982 in Iran, employs the use of the ancient Persian technique of Nakhoni: a method in which the artist embosses and makes writing apparent only through a slight pressure of his fingernails on the back of a delicate piece of paper or canvas. He uses Nakhoni for his calligraphy while most historical examples portray flowers, birds, lovers, buildings or landscapes.

His recent exhibitions include: 'The Verbal Cage series' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2013; 'Tehran Taxi series' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2012; 'Castelli series' at Homa Art Galler in Tehran, Iran, 2011; 'Inspiration/ Insistence' at Sotheby’s Los Angeles, USA, 2014; 'Neo-traditionalism in Contemporary Iranian Art' at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, 2014; 'Modern& Contemporary Iranian Art' at Tehran Auction in Azadi Grand Hotel, Iran, 2014; 'The Young Collectors Auction' at Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, UAE, 2014, 2013; 'Ey Iran' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2014; 'Cheragh' at Iranian Artist Foroum in Tehran, Iran, 2014; 'City of Tales' at Nicolas Flamel Gallery in Paris, France, 2014; 'Alternative Calligraphy 03' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2014; 'Voyage' at Nicolas Flamel Gallery in Paris, France, 2013; 'Peykareh' at Sareban Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2013; 'Art Feast' at Iranian Artist Forum in Tehran, Iran, 2013; 'Drawing week 01' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2013. His work is represented by Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, UAE.

Alireza Astaneh, GolevaBolBol, 2012, 170x140 cm (each), Mixed media on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Alireza Astaneh, Halo Hol, 170x140 cm (each), Mixed media on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Alireza Astaneh, Night Club, 170x140 cm, Mixed media on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Alireza Astaneh, You'd Better Not, 170x140 cm, Mixed media on canvas, Edition of 1, 2012 / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Mohamad Bozorgi

Mohamad Bozorgi, b. 1978 in Iran, trained with the Society of Iranian calligraphers for 15 years and achieved the Excellent level. He left his training, however, because he found that the Society’s practices were too restrictive and did not allow for innovation. Nevertheless, his regular practice of repetition, or SiahMashg, helped him develop the skills he demonstrates in his new body of work.

Recent showings of his work include: 'Symphonic Meditations' at Ayyam Gallery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2014; 'Identical Manifestation' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2012; 'Alternative calligraphy 3' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran 2014; 'Ey Iran' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2014; 'Voyage' at Nicolas Flamel Gallery in Paris, France, 2013; 'The Fest of Art' at Iranian Painter's Forum in Tehran, Iran, 2013; 'Word Unveiled' at Endjavi-Barbé Art Projects in Geneva, Switzerland, 2012; 'The Next Generation of Contemporary Iranian Calligraphy'at Kashya Hildebrand Gallery, Switzerland, 2012; 'Calligraphy' at Shirin Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2012; 'Alternative Calligraphy' at Homa Art Gallery in Tehran, Iran, 2011 and 'In Remembrance of Master Roubakhsh' at ART Center in Tehran, Iran, 2011.

Mohammad Bozorgi, Ashq (love), 2012, 150x220 cm, acrylic on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist and Mottahedan-Barbé Projects

Mottahedan-Barbe is a Dubai based joint venture by two avid collectors and patrons of the arts, in an effort to promote and bridge the gap between the Middle East and Western art.

Mohammad Mottahedan’s experience in the art world began as a collector. Working in New York in the 1980s, Mottahedan was eager to play a part in the golden age of American contemporary art. He built relationships with the then-emerging artists who proved to become some of the most renowned artists today, including Jeff Koons, Peter Halley and Caroll Dunham. Assembling a comprehensive collection of historically important works, his collection has since expanded to include emerging and established artists worldwide. Mottahedan began the concept of a project space in 2011 in Dubai and has had multiple exhibitions since.

Mojgan Endjavi-Barbé was born in Iran and pursued an education in political science and sociology in the US. After spending 4 years in Paris, 3 in Tokyo, 10 in London and 14 in Geneva, she has found her new home in Dubai. She has been working towards bridging Iranian artists with western audiences since 1989, after frequent travels to Iran made her realize the efforts Iranian artists put behind their work and the advancements they have made in the expression of their skills and language.