A painting collection by Iranian artist Qasem Hajizadeh is currently on view at Tehran's Shahrivar Gallery.
The exhibition comprises 20 paintings based on photographs of Iranian pioneer modernist writer, Sadegh Hedayat (1903-1951). The photographs are pictured as pop art, Ghahveh Khaneh (folk art) paintings, abstract expressionism or even cartoons, ISNA reported.
The works demonstrate the artist's insistent inquiry into the history of modern Iran. Color, as the most influential factor in the paintings is not merely used as a layer placed on top of objects, but it speaks of the incongruous aspects of the works.
Explaining the paintings, skilled artist and sculptor Hadi Mohit says: "Hajizadeh's work needs to be looked at in its formal expression, visual innovation and aesthetic qualities rather that the story it narrates."
In a number of paintings, a similar portrait of Hedayat is reproduced while the background completely changes. The 'figure' more or less, maintains its photographically 'realist' appearance, but the background lends itself to the artist's painterly imagination.
"As a result, painting and photography are both preserved at a higher level," he added.
Hajizadeh, 70, is a graduate of Tehran's Academy of Fine Arts in painting. He is one of Iran's most prominent modern artists, who in four decades of artistic activity has created many significant works and held various solo and group exhibitions.
His paintings are often based on the use of photographs and revive the nostalgic atmosphere of the past in the mind of the viewer. His works are part of the collection in various museums such as Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, the Bangladesh National Museum, the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts and the Museum of Naive Art in France.
The exhibit will run through March 10 at the venue, located at No. 9, Hormoz Dead-end, North Khazar St., Elahieh neighborhood.
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