Oblong Contemporary Gallery in Dubai presents acclaimed Iranian artist Abol Atighetchi’s solo show featuring a collection of his eye-catching paintings that offer a unique exploration of cultural diversity and historical narratives. The exhibition will be open to the public until 30 September 2024.
On view is a series of paintings Atighetchi primarily created in the 1990s that celebrate a rich tapestry of cultures and nationalities. Exhibited are such works as Africana (1991), Swaziland (1991), Les Artistes (1991), Totem II (1992), and Zulu II. Series Occultes (1992). Visitors can also have a look at Atighetchi’s more recent works: L’arlequin (2022) and Bluebird (2024).
About the artist
Abol Atighetchi (b. 1948, Tehran, Iran), who currently resides in Dubai, received a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Queen Mary College (University of London, UK) in 1972. He also studied Fine Arts at Midwest City College (USA) and Solihull College (UK). Since 1979, Atighetchi has been a member of La Maison des Artistes (France) and the Iranian Artists Forum (Iran).
Atighetchi’s artistic journey has evolved through distinct phases. Between 1983 and 1992, while living in France, he produced a series of figurative paintings titled Nouvelle Figuration, with a focus on oriental folklore. The works from this period reflect his interpretation of the various cultures around the world. He shows his vision of the ancient populations from North and South America, African tribes, Papua New Guinean and the Far East.
In 1996, he revisited his Persian heritage and followed his passion for calligraphy. More recently, he has shifted towards minimalism, which he considers the final phase of his artistic exploration. As he explains, “I don’t think I will explore another style after minimalism because it’s such a wide field that it will take me the rest of my life.”
Atighetchi creates enigmatic large-scale calligraphic pieces in Thuluth, Kufic, Naskh, and Nastaligh styles of writing. Many of them are devoted to Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī, the great Persian Sufi and poet whose work has been the artist’s crucial source of inspiration. Atighetchi’s calligraphy extends beyond paper to wood, where he uses lines and dots to embellish the background.
The artist has displayed his creations in many solo and collective shows as well as art events, including Fajr, the 9th International Festival of Visual Arts (Tehran, 2018); Magic of Persia (Charity Auction, London, 2016); an exhibition at Capital Club (DIFC, Dubai, 2015); Masters of Calligraphy (Niavaran Cultural Centre, Tehran, 2014); a solo show at the Museum of Fine Arts, Saad Abad (Tehran, 2013); and International Exhibition Contemporary Art (Toulouse, France, 2001), to name a few.
To get more information about Abol Atighetchi’s solo show at Oblong Contemporary Gallery, please visit its official web page.
In addition, you might be interested in visiting the Miraj Islamic Art Centre in Dubai and Reflections & Inspirations from Emirati Heritage, an exhibition at the Sharjah Heritage Museum.
