Art Dubai – Contemporary

Booth D6

For its second participation at Art Dubai, O Gallery presents works by Iranian artists Ali Nassir (b. 1951 Tehran, lives and works in Berlin), Shideh Tami (b. 1962 Tehran, lives and works in Tehran), Maryam Mohry (b. 1979 Tehran, lives and works in Khoramdareh), and Ashkan Sanei (b. 1984 Urumieh, lives and works in Tehran).

In the paintings that Ali Nassir creates, a harmonious blend of restless memories, chaotic environment and complex social, political and philosophical issues merge with the intrinsic beauty and joy of life, turning his work into a continuous attempt at expanding this sense of aesthetics. The interplay of form, color, movement and composition in Nassir’s works are meticulously interconnected. Within his paintings, one can encounter urban symbols, elements from nature, or even unexpected juxtapositions of objects that would never coexist in real life. These unconventional combinations permeate the artworks with compelling meanings within the framework of the painting itself. Shideh Tami’s work is very personal. The emotions usually expressed through her self-portraits can reveal the intellectual and emotional state of the artist and her feelings of fear, bravery and loneliness. In her work, through depicting metamorphoses of herself, she poetically raises the question of one’s own individuality and identity, gender, history and all the fluid borders and transformations between these categories. Her work invites contemplation and prompts us to question the very essence of our own being in relation to the broader concepts of existence and transformation. In Ashkan Sanei’s works on paper, the interplay between emptiness and fullness, lightness and heaviness and darkness and lightness is reminiscent of the visual language found in Siah Mashq - Persian calligraphic practice sheets - and it serves as a focal point, enhancing the artist's profound poetic tone. Drawing inspiration from Eastern ideology, Sanei explores the concepts of relocation and sublimation. Within his art, the artist invites us to ponder the fluidity of existence, where any phenomenon has the potential to reach its destination while still maintaining a connection to its origin. Sanei's pieces highlight the intricate nature of human experiences, where additions and subtractions of layers of consciousness, allow us to forget or remember things as these layers are added or subtracted. Maryam Mohry's creative process is fueled by both a playful childlike sensibility and a sense of sarcasm, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the joyous act of creation and experimentation. Her artistic practice extends beyond the two-dimensional realm as she exhibits her talent as a sculptor as well. The use of fabric as the primary medium adds an intriguing dimension to her work as each stitch and fold speaks to her meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. The choice of fabric also introduces a tactile quality to the sculptures, inviting viewers to not only visually appreciate the work but also to acknowledge its quality through touch. Through her mastery of textile manipulation, Mohry breathes life into the soft and pliable materials, giving shape to whimsical creatures and organic forms.  In her work, animals and flowers take on their own unique personalities, conveying a sense of wonder and enchantment. Each sculpture becomes a vessel for storytelling as Mohry weaves narratives that speak to the interconnectedness between humans, animals and nature. Through the diverse approaches employed by the selected artists, the presentation aims to explore the multifaceted representations of humanity that transcend conventional boundaries. These artists delve into the realms between the mind and body, the rational and irrational, the individual and the community, and even the human and nonhuman. In doing so, they challenge the existing notions and norms, prompting us to question our understanding of ourselves in the context of our shared human experience.

O Gallery is pleased to announce its participation at Paper Positions Munich 2023 with a presentation of works on paper by Ashkan Sanei.

From 20 to 22 October 2023, twenty selected international galleries from Germany, Austria, Spain, Iran and Mexico present one outstanding artistic position each with a focus on drawings and the material paper.

For the upcoming edition of Art021 Platform, O Gallery proposes a curated presentation by four of our artists: Ali Nassir, Shideh Tami, Ashkan Sanei and Armin Ebrahimi to highlight the artists’ very personal moments of introspection, rooted in their lived experiences as well as collective histories and memories. The works of the selected artists are deeply embedded within this uncertain time, evoking cautions, questions and desires. The online platform is available for viewing November 3 - 20 2022.

Certainty is the undeniable and irresistible knowledge of something. When defining our reality, certainty compels us to substitute the rational analysis processes with those based on memorization. Uncertainty, on the other hand, appears as the opportunity to generate a thinking process that responds to the realities of the unknown or changing nature.

For the upcoming edition of Asia Now, a presentation by six of our artists, Donya Aalipour (b. 1995 Tehran), Alireza Chalipa (b. 1984, Shiraz), Armin Ebrahimi (b. 1984 Tehran) Zahra Shahcheraghi (b. 1989 Karaj), Raha Khosroshahi (b. 1997 Tehran) and Ali Nassir (b. 1951 Tehran) is proposed to highlight the artists’ very personal moments of uncertainty, rooted in their lived experiences, collective histories and memories. The works of the selected artists are deeply embedded within this ambiguous time, evoking cautions, questions and desires in relation to each other.

O Gallery is pleased to announce its participation at Artissima 2021 with a duo presentation of works by Ashkan Sanei and Farniyaz Zaker. Ashkan Sanei’s aesthetics is based on destruction and repetition and in his practice, he swings between creation and destruction. The fragility and vulnerability of paper, his chosen medium, allows him to leave traces in his work rather than specific objects, reminiscing rather than directly indicating. Currently living and working in Tehran, Ashkan Sanei (b. 1984 Urumieh) has participated in many solo and group exhibitions in addition to co-curating “The List - Works on Paper” project with the gallery.
Farniyaz Zaker is an artist and a researcher. Located between architectural theory and gender studies, her art practice and writing largely deal with the nexus on body, society and place. Much of her practice explores how bodily practices and spatial awareness define our sense of identity, belonging and the very concept of knowledge. Currently living and working between London and Berlin, Farniyaz Zaker (b. 1982 Tehran) has exhibited her work internationally since 2002 and has been the recipient of many grants and awards.

O Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in Paper Positions Basel during Basel Art Week, presenting a selection of works on paper by Ashkan Sanei (b. 1984 Urumieh) and Maryam Mohry (b. 1979 Tehran).

In the spirit of its fair concept, which refrains from classic booths and is completely tailor-made for the most sensitive exhibits, Paper Positions ‌Basel deliberately focuses on a salon-like situation with continuous exhibition walls. The limited number of exhibitors also underlines the character of a large theme-based exhibition. The spatial design offers an open overview as well as the possibility to directly approach individual artistic works and to perceive them in a mutual dialogue.

Visit us at stand 11.

Ackermannshof
St. Johanns-Vorstadt 19-21
4056 Basel

September 21 – 26 September 2021
Professional Preview
Tuesday, September 21 3-6 pm
Opening Reception
Tuesday, September 21 6-9 pm
Public Days
Wednesday - Saturday, September 22-25, noon-8 pm
Sunday, September 26 11 am-5 pm

*VIP access with Art Basel and Photo Basel VIP cards.

Fueled by lighthearted naive sensibility and a sense of sarcasm, what stands out in Maryam Mohry’s works on paper is the narrative quality of her drawings and her passion to fully immerse in the process of creation and experimentation. Taking advantage of the translucent quality of watercolor and staying away from applying thick layers of paint, she finds watercolor and gouache best for crafting impulsive and plausible stories.

What distinguishes Ashkan Sanei’s work is the commitment to autobiographical authenticity. Sanei’s works on paper are organic structures in which the relationship between the whole and the part is established and present in each work. By using poetry and geometry as his main sources of inspiration, Ashkan Sanei creates works that are in close connection to the visual traditions and literary culture of Iran.

O Gallery is pleased to present 5 works by Ashkan Sanei in the upcoming edition of the Drawing Room fair.

The international online fair will take place from May 15th to 30th with 19 international galleries presenting only 19 shows by artists from around the world.

In addition, works by Amir Karimi, Ghazal Khatibi, Maryam Mohry, Niloofar Lohrasbi, Pegah Rajamand and Razieh Sedighian are presented in the store section of their site.

Drawing Room Store is the first online platform for the exhibition and sale of contemporary drawing and paperwork.

To visit the online fair and store click here.

O Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in Artissima Unplugged 2020 with a monologue presentation of works by Ashkan Sanei.
From November 5th, the fair’s online catalogue will present works selected by the galleries for their booths in the 2020 edition of the fair.

Click here to view the Online Catalogue.