Visual Dialogues | The Book of Kings | Shirin Neshat & Fereydoun Ave | March 2019
Secret of Words
Mehran Mohajer & Sadegh Tirafkan
November 2006
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Total Arts Gallery at the Courtyard and Massoud Nader Present exhibition of Photography by Sadegh Tirafkan with support of Silk Road Gallery this exhibition is accompanied by photographs of Mehran Mohajer Sadegh Tirafkan is a persevering artist who navigates through time and culture in search of his place and identity as an Iranian man in the contemporary world. The medium of photography has become his main platform to construct powerful visual plays, using a combination of elements that he seasons sufficiently with symbolism.
The significance of symbolism throughout Tirafkan’s body of work comes from his Persian root in which direct dialogue is rarely used, but frequently replaced by symbolic languages. How do you inform a culture that has three thousand years of history, rich in tradition and essentially a homogenous and male dominated society? Tirafkan expresses his concerns through images of numerous self-portraits and portraits of friends. He once said, "I began photography by recording what surrounded me. Now I take what is around me in the studio and make it into what I see through the prism of my life and culture." Tirafkan poses himself and others in the studio time after time to explore the meaning of being a contemporary Iranian. Blending tradition, history and memory, he recreates visually compelling scenes that build visceral connection to his ancient country. And this is where the strength and beauty of Tirafkan's work lie.
In reinventing and revisiting Iranian tradition he is also criticizing and challenging his ancestors' long-standing authority. In spite the highly eloquent appearances; I see two hidden trends in his work, which the artist has perhaps introduced even without realizing it: a theatrical staging of all the historic drama of his country, all the painful events of which he experienced intensely, and a discreet journey towards a spirituality which emanates from his whole vision. Here, Tirafkan surreptitiously rejoins the mystical quest which remains, whether we like it or not, the key-stone of any metaphysical edifice of the Iranian world. Born in Iran in 1965, Tirafkan trained as a photographer at the University of Fine Arts in Tehran. Since the late 1990’s he has participated in numerous solo exhibitions and group shows, in Tehran, Paris and New York.
Tirafkan’s work offers an eloquent meditation on modern Iranian man’s relationship to his past and on his search for a meaningful identity in the present. Identity, history and memory have been central concerns in the work of non-western artists since the era of colonialism. Tirafkan, frequently using himself as a model, revisits and reinvents these themes in his series of enigmatic yet visually compelling photographs. He uses words and symbols to communicate with the audience and
Abstract & Lanscape
Mohseni Kermanshahi
February 2005
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A. Mohseni was born in 1960, in Kermanshah west of Iran. He started painting with Master Rahim Navesi before moving to Tehran. He held his first one-man show in 1994 and has come a long way from his humble beginnings. Landscape, traditional life and nature were always his main subjects to paint and after moving to UAE he found this passion in the local scenery. T
his exhibition would be an exceptional one in Mohseni’s career since he is entering a new period after 10 years of professionally painting landscapes and still life witch is still the close to Mohseni’s heart in a different way. Mohseni has participated in more than 40 solo and group exhibitions in Iran including Tehran Contemporary Art Museum, Australia, Kuwait and the UAE. Mohseni has won a special award from Tehran Contemporary Art Museum as the best Artist of the year in 1996. Mohseni has published 2 books, which are: 1. Nature in the painting of Abdol Hossein Mohseni 2. Painting of Abdol Hossein Mohsenis He is working on two new books at present.
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WOVEN
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Opening 19th April - September 2025
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A thread pulled, a knot tied, a rhythm repeated—WOVEN explores the universal language of weaving, a practice that transcends borders, generations, and disciplines. From the intricate handwoven textiles of African tribes to the refined craftsmanship of Iranian carpets, the exhibition brings together objects and artworks that share a common lineage of interlacement.
Both a functional necessity and an artistic expression, weaving embodies cultural, historical, and aesthetic dimensions. This exhibition highlights how this ancient craft continues to inspire contemporary creativity, preserving traditions while fostering
innovation.
More than just material and technique, WOVEN reflects on weaving as a metaphor for connection—between past and present, tradition and reinvention, function and beauty. Everyday objects, ritual artifacts, and artistic interventions intertwine, revealing how woven traditions have shaped cultural heritage and evolved into new artistic languages.
The exhibition also explores how weaving was an intrinsic part of daily life, essential for survival, identity, and continuity. In many cultures, artistic expression seamlessly infused rituals, objects, and movement, reinforcing that beauty and function were never separate in traditional craftsmanship.
The exhibition offers compelling examples, such as:
• Vintage Traditional African Kuba Raffia Cloth – A textile rich in geometric
patterns and bold designs, reflecting the aesthetic and symbolic traditions of the Congo.
• African Loincloth with Leather and Ostrich Eggshell Beads – A striking
example of personal adornment and cultural identity, preserving centuries-old traditions.
• Vintage Turkman Camel Trapping – A beautifully crafted textile used in nomadic ceremonies, illustrating the deep ties between textile art and the movement of
people.
• Mal-Bands – Traditionally used by nomadic groups to wrap belongings during
migration, embodying the resilience and adaptability of mobile cultures.
The exhibition invites you to trace the threads of history, discover where they intersect, and explore the new patterns that emerge when different worlds are woven together.
The exhibition would not be possible without the generosity of Mr. Fereydoun Ave and Mr. Farhad Bakhtair.
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