Currently, Zawyeh Gallery is holding The Season of Ruin’s Remembrance, a solo exhibition by Iranian artist and curator Amirhossein Bayani. On display until 6 April 2025, the show presents his latest series of vibrant works that examine themes of life, immigration, and freedom, with a particular emphasis on the struggles of women. Working in the tradition of landscape painting, Bayani uses natural elements to convey profound emotional states and envision a more harmonious future.
The exhibited collection of paintings is inspired by the real-life stories of Iranian women who fought for freedom. Rather than depicting their tragic yet heroic narratives directly, Bayani reimagines them in ethereal forest landscapes. These settings appear paradisiacal, yet an underlying eeriness pervades them. In two of the paintings, streaks of red paint drip down the canvas, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict not just in Iran, but across the world.
Among the exhibited works, the Canoe No. 1-4 series pays tribute to Mohammad Moradi, an Iranian man who sacrificed himself to protest the continued oppression of Iranian women. These paintings depict women adrift in canoes, seeking freedom yet burdened by the memories of their homeland. Canoe No. 4 features falling black roses, symbolising the lingering weight of the past, while Canoe No. 3 and No. 5 introduce blooming pink roses: powerful emblems of femininity, resilience, and new beginnings.
About the artist
Amirhossein Bayani (b. 1977, Tehran, Iran) is a London-based painter and curator who obtained a BA in Painting from Tehran University School of Art and an MFA in Art Research from Tehran Azad University. A member of the Iranian Painters Society (IPS), he is also the founder and director of MERXOUT Projects.
In his practice, Bayani delves into consumerism, politics, sociology, and philosophy, particularly examining how power structures shape human existence. His art exposes the subtle mechanisms of violence, tyranny, and control: forces often obscured by mainstream narratives. Through his thought-provoking compositions, Bayani challenges viewers to confront the unseen machinations of power and their impact on individuals and communities.
Bayani’s work has appeared in various exhibitions and art events around the world, including Abu Dhabi Art Fair (2024); Requiem for the Years Past (solo) (Sahar K. Boluki Gallery, Toronto, Canada, 2023); Contemporary Iranian Art & the Historical Imagination (Campus Gallery, Dartmouth Massachusetts, USA, 2020); The Fourth Beijing International Art Biennale (National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China, 2010); Brides of Our Time (solo) (Etemad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2009); and many others. In 2013, the artist was nominated for the Artraker Award in the UK and selected for the Top 10 in the Facade Video Festival in Plovdiv (Bulgaria).
To get more information about The Season of Ruin’s Remembrance, please go to the official web page of the exhibition.
In addition, you might be interested in viewing My Mothers, The Siren, The Vessel, The Womb, a solo exhibition by Egyptian-French artist Hoda Tawakol. We would also recommend that you read our article about what art lovers can expect in the Gulf region this spring.
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