Art Dubai 2025
April 9, 2025For its third participation at Art Dubai, O Gallery presents works by Iranian artists Donya Aalipour (b. 1995 Tehran, lives and works in Austria), Armin Ebrahimi (b. 1984 Tehran, lives and works in Tehran), Ali Ganjavi (b. 1980 Sari, lives and works in Tehran), Ali Nassir (b. 1951 Tehran, lives and works in Berlin) and Ashkan Sanei (b. 1984 Urumieh, lives and works in Tehran). Through a blend of historical references, symbolism and reflection on contemporary social issues, these artists invite us to question how identity is formed, lost and rediscovered in a constantly changing world.
Donya Aalipour and Armin Ebrahimi turn their attention to the complexities of the modern life, using social events and personal experiences as the foundation of their work. Although Donya studied under Daniel Richter in Vienna and has lived there for several years, her work remains deeply connected to social and political issues of her homeland. Donya’s bold dynamic paintings reflect on the fast-paced and fragmented world and its impact on our sense of self. Her works, with their vibrant colors made up of expressive lines, capture the emotional extremes of contemporary existence—happiness, anxiety, despair, longing and alienation— inviting viewers to consider how external influences shape their internal worlds. While referencing historical and cultural patterns, Armin’s dreamlike compositions draw from the materiality of the body and its relation to broader societal changes, creating a dialogue between the past and the present. His work invites viewers to engage with the fluid nature of cultural identity. His use of form evokes a tactile connection to history, while also reflecting the impact of modernity on the human experience. Armin’s pieces challenge us to consider how identity is continuously shaped by both the physical and symbolic spaces we inhabit. His works delve into the tension between preservation and transformation, suggesting that the evolution of cultural identity is an ongoing process rooted in both memory and reinvention.
Similarly, Ashkan Sanei engages deeply with historical and cultural motifs, using them as a lens through which to explore his personal experiences. Ashkan’s practice, heavily influenced by the traditions of Persian calligraphy and geometry taken from Islamic Art, creates a bridge between the past and the present. By reinterpreting these intricate forms through a contemporary lens, he explores how cultural symbols can be both enduring and mutable. His minimal compositions play with the concept of erasure and repetition, drawing attention to the fragility of memory and the ever-lasting nature of identity.
While employing a different visual language, Ali Ganjavi explores themes of identity and isolation, with his approach being more deeply rooted in symbolism. His work, characterized by intense light cast upon solitary figures or forms against a black background create a visual metaphor for the process of self-discovery and introspection. The interplay of light and shadow in Ali’s paintings highlights the contrast that define human experiences: visibility and obscurity, presence and absence, self and other, alacrity and ambiguity. Through these stark juxtapositions, his art invites viewers to engage with the complex and often elusive nature of personal identity, urging them to confront the hidden and visible aspects of the self.
Ali Nassir stands upon in this collection as an artist whose work embodies a more comprehensive exploration of identity. While each of the other artists offers a distinct lens —whether be it through historical reflection, symbolic representation, or the exploration of contemporary social issues— Nassir’s work brings all these elements together, creating a more layered interpretation of what it means to navigate personal and cultural identity. In Nassir’s work identity is not isolated or fragmented into singular aspects but seen as an ever-evolving dialogue between multiple forces and influences. Nassir draws on both personal and cultural memory to explore the human condition in all its complexity. Influenced by his experiences living between Iran and Germany, Nassir’s paintings blend Eastern and Western traditions, creating a dynamic dialogue between the two cultural spheres. His works reflect the tension and harmony found in traversing dual identities, using visual elements from both worlds to explore themes of belonging, displacement and cultural hybridity. Nassir’s work transcends geographic boundaries, offering a nuanced reflection on the complexities of personal and cultural identity in a globalized world. This fusion invite viewer to contemplate how identity is shaped by the convergence of diverse influences, emphasizing the fluid nature of cultural expression. Influenced by his experiences living between Iran and Germany, Nassir’s paintings blend Eastern and Western traditions, creating a dialogue between the two. His work moves beyond the literal depiction of objects and figures, focusing instead on the relationships between them and the spaces they inhibit. Nassir’s pieces, rich with historical and philosophical undertones, reflect his ongoing inquiry into the nature of existence and identity, particularly in relation to the cultural and societal environments that shape us.
Together, these five artists explore the multifaceted nature of identity through a variety of lenses: historical, symbolic, social, cultural and personal. Whether through the reinterpretation of cultural heritage, fusion of two cultures, the examination of contemporary social dynamics or the use of light and shadow, each artist contributes to a broader dialogue on what it means to navigate identity in an ever-evolving world.
Though diverse in style and approach, their works are united by a shared commitment, making this collection a powerful statement on the complexities of human experience.
