PRESS

Farhad Moshiri Retrospective

The Farjam Foundation Unveils LOVE IS NOT EVERYTHING

Farhad Moshiri’s first international retrospective celebrates his remarkable career to date

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday 8th February 2011 - The Farjam Foundation @ DIFC will unveil its eagerly anticipated solo exhibition of works by Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri on Monday, 14^th March from 6.00pm – 8.00pm.  LOVE IS NOT EVERYTHING marks the first worldwide retrospective of Farhad Moshiri’s career to date.  Renowned for his hybrid work, which often fuses traditional Iranian art forms with those of Western culture, Moshiri’s art is a stirring monument to our times. 

The exhibition at the Farjam Foundation will showcase seminal pieces drawn from throughout the artist’s career, from the traditional jars covered in pop song lyrics that propelled him to fame, to his arresting ‘cake paintings’ and glittering canvases bejeweled with sequins.  All the works on view are drawn exclusively from The Farjam Foundation.  A supporter and patron of the artist for many years, Farhad Farjam’s collection includes a wide range of works that span Moshiri’s diverse oeuvre.

“I have always admired the work of pioneering artists such as Picasso, Miro, Dali, Warhol, and Jeff Koons. These artists have marked art history for their fresh and unique styles. Farhad Moshiri’s art has also fascinated me for its breadth and depth from the moment I discovered it. Since then, Farhad has never ceased to amaze me. It is now my great pleasure to share my passion for his art with the public by unveiling this groundbreaking retrospective,” said Farhad Farjam, founder of The Farjam Foundation

Farhad Moshiri studied Fine Arts and filmmaking at California Institute of the Arts, graduating in 1984.  His first works experimented with various artistic mediums, including installations, video art and painting.  Having returned to Tehran in 1991, he rose to international acclaim with his series of monumental jar paintings, followed by highly textured works incorporating both calligraphy and numerical abdjad; an ancient Arabic clerical code.

Since then, Moshiri has become increasingly bold in his use of materials, making paintings that are both textured and sculptural.   An example of this daring use of media is Neighbourhood Butcher, 2009, featured in this retrospective, in which the artist uses acrylic knives to outline the profile of a man.

Often exploring themes drawn from Iranian popular culture, Farhad Moshiri’s works explore meetings between worlds and, in their own modest way, the dynamic hybrids that ensue when East meets West. LOVE IS NOT EVERYTHING takes viewers on an exhilarating journey into the curious world of Farhad Moshiri. 

The opening of LOVE IS NOT EVERYTHING will take place on Monday 14^th March, at 6pm.

The exhibition will run until June.