Geneva Gets a Glimpse of “Expanding Worlds” of Iranian Artists

17 January 2012 | 14:59 Code : 1897177 Latest Headlines

Tehran, Jan 17, 2012 (Cultural Heritage News): Three emerging contemporary artists from Iran are displaying a selection of their works during an exhibition entitled “Expanding Worlds” in Geneva which will run until January 26.

Artworks by Maryam Ashkanian, Zahra Hosseini and Elnaz Javani are being introduced to European audiences for the first time during the showcase entitled Iran's Contemporary Art at the venue of Geneva's Bâtiment d'Art Contemporain (BAC).

The exhibit is a part of Enjavi-Barbé Art Projects established by art expert and critic Mojgan Enjavi-Barbé in 2011 to introduce emerging contemporary Iranian artists to the global community.

“Their work is a refreshing departure from the well-worn clichés expected of the contemporary Middle Eastern artists of today. The show is designed to illustrate the dynamic and true nature of Iran's current-day art scene,” Mojgan Enjavi-Barbé mentioned in a press release.

Maryam Askhanian, 23, is inspired by her mother's needlework that became her source of inspiration at an early age. Even after she studied painting, fabrics and needlework is still her material of choice.

The existing body of work created by Zahra Hosseini, 30, is not only an autobiographical reflection of a survivor of medical malpractice but also conveys the artist's courageous, bold and challenging approach towards the reality of life and faith, as random and impersonal as it may be.

Elnaz Javani, 26, transforms her rebellious energy into art. Her choice of fabrics and textiles as media gives her more flexibility to convey her personal artistic impressions on gender and social issues. Interesting enough, she was raised with a father who used to sew for a living.