Melancholia

Mohsen Alishiri

October 25 - November 8 2024

Press Release

O Gallery presents “Melancholia”, Mohsen Alishiri’s (b. 1981 Varamin) first exhibition with the gallery.

In continuation of his previous collections, “Melancholia” reflects five years of Alishiri’s exploration into darkness and its complex relationship with human perception and imagination. He delves into the emotional challenges faced throughout the day, where reality and dreams merge within an in-between space. The artist navigates this delicate boundary, employing the stark contrast of black and white to reveal its rawest and most unmediated form.
Drawing from personal melancholy, social themes and daily experiences, Alishiri’s latest works reflect a refined, dynamic process of creation and destruction. His use of oil-based materials, combined with glossy elements, introduces an ever-evolving interaction with the surface, creating a visual depth that moves beyond conventional limits. The material of choice opens a portal to new dimensions for the artist, with him becoming more present through the subtle manipulations made during the process. The interplay between these adjustments and the colors allows his emotions and vision to come to life, fully realized in each piece.
“Melancholia” is a prevailing exploration of boundaries—between light and dark, reality and dream—offering viewers a glimpse into a world where these contrasts converge and transform.