SARAI Gallery is delighted to announce the inauguration of its new space in Tehran, Iran, with the exhibition, The Sound of Not Breathing. The show will feature a variety of contemporary Iranian artists including Amir Jadidi, Amin Noorani, Bijan Akhgar, Samila Amir Ebrahimi, Mohammad Khalili, Jaleh Akbari, Samaneh Samimi, Vali Javadi Azar, Ali Jahangard, Abbas Nasle Shamloo, and Hessam Rezaei.
Curated by Payam Khalili, the show delves into the artists' unique interpretations of landscape painting, a genre traditionally associated with vibrant colors and idyllic depictions of nature. In contrast to this conventional approach, the works in this exhibition present a stark and introspective vision of the world around us. The show unites these artists in their poignant exploration of the destructive impact of human activity on the environment. Utilizing a subdued palette and somber imagery, the works serve as a warning against the potential consequences of our actions. They compel viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the future of our planet, urging us to consider the potential apocalyptic consequences if current trends continue unchecked. This exhibition serves as a powerful call for reflection and action, prompting us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world and strive towards a more sustainable future.
SARAI is also deeply honored to revive the legacy of the influential artist Hessam Rezaei(1960-1998) through this exhibition, showcasing a selection of his works after a considerable hiatus.
Hessam Rezaei (1960-1998) was a prominent Iranian painter who studied at the prestigious Tehran School of Fine Arts. He also had the privilege of learning from renowned masters like Samila Amir Ebrahimi, Shahab Moosavi Zade, and Aydin Aghdashloo. In pursuit of further artistic development, he relocated to Germany in 1984, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at the esteemed Berlin University of the Arts.
Rezaei's artistic career blossomed as he exhibited his works both outside and inside Iran, including within the second and third National Contemporary Painting Biennial (1993-1995). Upon returning to his homeland, Rezaei embarked on a captivating exploration of his cultural heritage, focusing on the evocative beauty of ancient buildings and native landscapes. His abstract-expressionistic approach culminated in two critically acclaimed series: The Caravanserai and the Abyaneh series, which stand as testaments to his artistic brilliance.
Samila Amir Ebrahimi (Born in 1950, Tehran, Iran.)
Amir Ebrahimi possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Political Science from the University of Tehran. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, USA. Samila completed a short course in metal engraving and printmaking in Paris, France. Ebrahimi's work often explores the contrast between diametrically opposed concepts, such as light and darkness, day and night, fragility and strength. She utilizes a variety of media including collage, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Amin Nourani (Born in 1964, Tehran, Iran.)
Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran. Nourani is considered a realist painter in terms of technique and follows a representational approach. His works are often characterized by a deep attachment to nature and the past.
Bijan Akhgar (Born in 1964, Kermanshah, Iran.)
Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from the University of Art, and a Master of Arts in Art Research from the University of Tarbiat Modares Bijan Akhgar's works present a wide and intertwined spectrum of styles, ranging from realism to semi-abstract pieces. The term "semi-abstract" in describing his paintings refers to a totality that encompasses, on the one hand, the artist's connection to the subject of the work, and on the other hand, the fading of the subject and the artist's preoccupation with composition, color, and form.
Ali Jahangard (Born in 1976, Kermanshah, Iran.)
Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from Yazd University, a Master of Arts in Painting from Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, and a Ph.D. in Comparative and Analytical Art History from the Faculty of Art, Shahid University in Tehran. Jahangard's works define endless migration. In his works, no home is ever regained, and beyond wars and blind compulsions, a dust of time erosion and forgetfulness settles on everything.
Vali Javadi Azar (Born in 1977, Meshgin Shahr, Iran.)
Holds a Master of Arts in Iranian Painting from the Islamic Art University. Javadi Azar's constructed drawings emerge from a continuous movement between the two realms of nature (object) and imagination (subject). He begins by working on a series of sketches and drawings that are objectively derived from nature. He then combines these with elements from multiple other drawings and controls the visual composition to create ultimately imaginative works.
Amir Jadidi (Born in 1981, Tehran, Iran.)
Amir Jadidi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from the University of Art. Jadidi is a painter and instructor of painting at the University of Art. He focuses on the landscape genre and limits the subject matter of his works, which allows him to explore unique expressive possibilities within the framework of representation.
Samaneh Samimi (Born in 1982, Shiraz, Iran.)
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Illustration from the Azad University of Tehran. Samimi's works are based on her observations of the specific climatic features of the geography of Shiraz, its nearby mountains, and its garden cities. She creates imaginary and perhaps familiar works through experimentation in design and hand printing.
Jaleh Akbari (Born in 1988, Shiraz, Iran.)
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from the University of Art in Semnan. Akbari is an artist who is directly influenced by her surroundings, which she translates into her works with her own personal interpretations, rather than through precise representation.
