ART
Ali Banisadr |
Written 30 January |
Saturday 13 February, 10:00Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, 75003 [map]Ali Banisadr
Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac presents the first solo exhibition of recent work by Iranian-born, New York-based artist Ali Banisadr.
Banisadr once remarked that his childhood memories, notably of the Islamic revolution and the brutal Iraq war, were a mix of images, half abstract and the other half with recognizable forms. Given his style, this also serves as an accurate description of his current paintings. Present in all of his works is a sense of sound and movement that is due to the way in which Banisadr condenses his imagery, and chooses a wide range of colours to bring his subject to life.
Often, Banisadrʼs paintings are composed of different components. His figures, inspired by Persian miniature, contrast with the use of large brushstrokes to create an increasingly abstract image. As you draw closer to the painting you see that he is not only capturing the brutality that he has experienced, but also showing human evil in general. Disguised beneath the magnificence of the paintingsʼ overall design – despair, isolation and terror are conveyed.
Ali explains, “I became fascinated with all histories of war, conspiracies, colonialism, corruption, ancient and modern battles...Opposition and conflict are at the heart of my work.”
Connecting much of Banisadrʼs artwork is an underlying influence from the Old Masters, however rather than imitate their techniques he distorts them to further his own individual style. This is especially perceptible where Banisadr uses colours common in European religious paintings and gives his images an almost divine glow that does not fit with the struggles he often illustrates. It is this innovation, in both his delivery and meaning that makes Banisadrʼs work so stimulating.
| What: | Ali Banisadr |
| When: | Saturday 13 February, 10:00 |
| Where: | Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, 7 Rue Debelleyme 75003 [map] |
| Transport: | Filles Du Calvaire |
| Cost: | 0EUR |
| Phone: | 01 42 72 99 00 |
| Email: | galerie@ropac.net |
| Web: | www.ropac.net |
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