Landscapes, Qajar Women in Paintings

A painting exhibition by the artist couple Hojjat and Mina Shakiba will open at Shokouh Gallery in northern Tehran on Friday, February 17, featuring depictions of Qajari women and landscapes.

The exhibit will include 12 modern paintings on the women in the Qajar dynasty (which ruled Iran from 1785-1925) by Hojjat, and 25 landscapes painted by Mina, Honaronline reported.

Hojat Shakiba, 68, is an Iranian hyperrealist painter who is mostly interested in the history of Iran and portrays it in his works. Hyperrealism is a genre of painting resembling a high-resolution photograph. 

A graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, he is known for his paintings which he created in collaboration with the late filmmaker Ali Hatami.

In the movie ‘Kamalolmolk’ directed by Hatami in 1984, on the life and works of famous Iranian painter Kamalolmolk (1848-1940), Hojjat recreated all of the classical artist’s paintings including the ‘Mirror Hall’ (considered as Kamalolmolk’s best work which took him over five years to complete).

In another movie by Hatami titled ‘Love-Stricken’ (1992), Hojjat painted a portrait of the blind Turk princess (performed by Leila Hatami) which was later sold at a Christie’s auction in London.

Since his first exhibition at Seyhoun Gallery in Tehran in 1977, Hojjat has presented his paintings in several exhibits in Iran, Switzerland, England, Bangladesh, Canada, the UAE and the US.

He has published six painting books and as a photographer, has brought out a book about the role of photos in Iranian art.

Mina, Hojjat’s wife, learned painting from her husband. She has been professionally active in the field for about 25 years. Her works have been part of exhibitions in Iran and Canada.

For the upcoming event, she will showcase her landscape works which she created in Canada. Mina has a poetic view to nature and has produced artworks using oil paint (with high concentration) on canvas.

Enthusiasts can visit the artworks until February 22 at the gallery located at No 19, Amir Nouri Alley, N. Salimi St., Andarzgoo Blvd., Farmaniye neighborhood.