The traces of goats on the painted ceramics of ancient Susa find their way into the gazelles of Persian poetry and Iranian miniature in this painting, which has endured for more than half a century. The fusion of the “mythical animal” with “geometric abstraction” embodies a quest for identity—one that remains distinctly Eastern and Iranian, yet resonates in dialogue with international modern art.
The 53-year-old work Variation Tendre Tourmaline by Hossein Zenderoudi bears a French title meaning “Tender Tourmaline,” a poetic reference to a semi-precious stone. The name infuses the composition with a sense of preciousness and delicacy, enhancing the gem-like quality of its calligraphic lines. The painting is a visual–spiritual experience: letters swirl like particles of energy, inviting viewers to contemplate both meaning and form.
Massoud Arabshahi, the eminent Iranian painter, was born on September 10, 1935, and passed away on September 16, 2019. On the occasion of his birthday, we revisit one of his remarkable works housed in the Raha Gallery Collection. This painting stands as a clear example of Arabshahi’s enduring approach to mythic abstraction. Throughout his career, such works reflected his lifelong concern with reimagining the visual language of ancient Iran in a contemporary form. In terms of both scale and…
The sculpture Ahura Mazda, at the heart of Elham Fallahi’s monumental installation Bundahishn, is not merely one among its 82 sculptures but the conceptual, visual, and philosophical core of the work—the point where chaos and waste are transfigured into creation and meaning.
Nasser Ovissi is perhaps the only Iranian artist to have held a joint exhibition with Salvador Dalí. In this luminous painting, blue reigns supreme — the very soul of the work; a color that in Iranian culture symbolizes tranquility, spirituality, and the sky. Against this vast blue expanse, flashes of red in the cheeks, the horse’s ear ornaments, and the woman’s ribbons pulse like a warm heartbeat, guiding the viewer’s gaze toward the focal points.
This painting is among the most dramatic and yet hopeful works of Wahed Khakdan—an exquisitely melancholic and subtly humorous piece held in the Raha Middle East Gallery Collection. Khakdan, with his distinctive mastery, avoids depicting superficial joy; instead, he evokes a forgotten but resilient kind of happiness—one that lingers quietly within ordinary objects, faded memories, and muted colors. Embedded within the painting are layers of Iranian culture—carpets, traditional letters, the…
An authentic example of Saqqakhaneh painting: rich with religious, popular, and mystical symbols; a fusion of calligraphy and miniature painting; a blend of tradition, myth, and modern form. A visual poem. The horsemen—adorned with swords, flowing robes, and headdresses—appear as mythical figures, perhaps drawn from the Shahnameh or romantic epic tales. This series is known in the Iranian art community as “The Romantic Horsemen,” created around the 1970s and 80s.
Bundahishn, an installation sculpture by Elham Fallahi, is a work about the philosophy of creation and mythical gods who are the protectors and guardians of nature. Suspended between earth and sky, the work occupies an impressive six by six by four meters in the private showroom of the Raha Gallery Collection.
On July 17, 2024, Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri passed away at the age of 61. A groundbreaking figure in Middle Eastern contemporary art, Moshiri made history by setting two million-dollar records at international auctions. His unique engagement with pop art rendered his practice iconic in the region, to the extent that in 2017, the Andy Warhol Museum in the United States dedicated a solo exhibition to his work.
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