March 2011 – June 2011
LOVE IS NOT EVERYTHING, an exhibition of selected works by Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri, marks the first worldwide retrospective of Farhad Moshiri’s career to date. Renowned for his hybrid work, which often fuses traditional Iranian art forms with those of Western culture, Moshiri’s art is a stirring monument to our times.
The exhibition showcases seminal pieces drawn from throughout the artist’s career, from the traditional jars covered in pop song lyrics that propelled him to fame, to his arresting ‘cake paintings’ and glittering canvases bejeweled with sequiins. All the works are drawn exclusively from The Farjam Foundation. A supporter and patron of the artist for many years, Farhad Farjam’s collection includes a wide range of works that span Moshiri’s diverse oeuvre.
Farhad Moshiri studied Fine Arts and filmmaking at California Institute of the Arts, graduating in 1984. His first works experimented with various artistic mediums, including installations, video art and painting. Having returned to Tehran in 1991, he rose to international acclaim with his series of monumental jar paintings, followed by highly textured works incorporating both calligraphy and numerical abdjad; an ancient Arabic clerical code.
Since then, Moshiri has become increasingly bold in his use of materials, making paintings that are both textured and sculptural. An example of this daring use of media is Neighbourhood Butcher, 2009, featured in this retrospective, in which the artist uses acrylic knives to outline the profile of a man.
Often exploring themes drawn from Iranian popular culture, Farhad Moshiri’s works explore meetings between worlds and, in their own modest way, the dynamic hybrids that ensue when East meets West. LOVE IS NOT EVERYTHING takes viewers on an exhilarating journey into the curious world of Farhad Moshiri.
Catalogues made and signed by the artist in a limited edition of 100 with 5 artist’s proofs are available at The Farjam Foundation @ DIFC in exchange for donations to Dubai Cares. For more information, enquire at the exhibition space.
Exhibition catalog
Media Coverage
