The Foundry Downtown art space in Dubai is hosting The Homecoming of Cypresses, a solo exhibition by Iranian artist Morteza Darehbaghi that displays his mixed-media paintings and installations. It explores the constantly changing environment and pays tribute to nature’s fluidity and constant evolution. The show will be open to the public until the 9th of February, 2024.
The works on view demonstrate three distinct forms found in Darehbaghi’s art: free, geometric, and pattern-based. They mark various phases of his artistic journey, embodying the dynamic interplay of order and spontaneity in the world of nature. In his art pieces, he combines primitive motifs, rug patterns, and tile works, thus breaking free from the geometric monotony he associates with the city and infusing the beauty of nature into the structured patterns.
About the artist
Morteza Darehbaghi (b. 1969, Tehran, Iran) received a Diploma from the Plastic Arts School (Tehran) in 1991; in 1995, he graduated from Azad University (Tehran) with a BA Honours in Art.
Darehbaghi’s early artworks were figurative: they depict figures influenced by Iranian painting. However, at one point in his career, he began to move towards a more abstract style. His later works are also influenced by traditional Iranian art; though abstract, they feature plant forms and patterns. Darehbaghi is particularly interested in the pieces created during the Safavid period and until the Qajar period. “The roots of traditional art appeared in brilliant forms [back then], you can see many carvings created by artists in this valley,” he says. “I am very interested in these characters, and [they] are usually included in my works.”
The artist has headed a number of solo exhibitions in his home country at such galleries as Iranshahr Gallery (Tehran, 2018), Golestan Gallery (Tehran, 2002), Kavir Gallery (Rafsanjan, 2000), and Assar Gallery (Tehran, 2000); he also was a subject of a solo show in Dubai (Meem Gallery, 2010). Darehbaghi has participated in many group exhibitions and art events including The Greater Middle East Unveiled (Opera Gallery, London, UK, 2014); Art Fair Dubai and Art Fair Abu Dhabi (2011); the 54th Biennial of Venice (Italy, 2011); Abim Group (Mimara Museum, Zagreb, Croatia, 2003); the 2nd Islam World Biennial (Tehran, 2002); the 5th Biennial Painting (Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, 2000); and others.
The list of awards the artist has received includes First Place at the Third Islam World Biennial (Tehran, 2004) and First Place at the 2nd International Flower and Plant Show (Tehran, 1993), to mention a few.
To get more information about The Homecoming of Cypresses, please visit the exhibition’s official web page.
You might also be interested in attending Muheera & I by Abdulrahim Salim and looking at Simon Back’s art pieces at Mestaria Gallery.
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