May 4th - June 1st, 2007 at GreenRice Gallery in San Jose, California

An art exhibition by Mahshid Modares, Mahnaz Hashemi, Priya, Yasmin Mawaz-Khan, Niloufar Karimzadegan and Soudabeh Meamarzadeh

This exhibition showcases examples of contemporary Iranian art in a variety of media, such as photography, painting, collage and film. This exhibit includes works by Mahnaz Hashemi, Niloufar Karimzadegan, Yasmin Mawaz-Khan, Soudabeh Memarzadeh, Mahshid Modares, and Priya; dedicated Iranian artists who live in Iran, San Jose, San Francisco and San Diego.

The collection of work presented here is a connection between the rich Iranian artistic and cultural heritage and a belief in art as an international dialogue. The artists exhibit an avant-garde movement among Iranian women who use influential tools such as art to share their progressive vision and significant role in the transformation of Iran and the whole world. As Priya states: "I stand for women being free to express their gifts of beauty, power and wisdom in any way that is most authentic to them. My colorful figures elicit an appreciation of the divine feminine and intend to awaken the goddess archetype within each of us."

These artists also honor Iranian traditional arts. This is evident in the evocative works of Mahshid Modares. In her Termeh Series, Mahshid studies Iranian textiles such as Termeh (a heavy brocaded fabric) and carpets as a homage to the exquisitely handcrafted products made by unknown Iranian women for centuries. Mahshid intends to translate the language of traditional textile design into the modern visual language.

The link between the past and the present is also depicted in Soudabeh Memarzadeh's pieces: "My paintings are inspired by my perception of everyday life, recent and childhood memories, distant lands and world history. I first divide these pieces, then reunite them as layers – entwined memories, sensations and emotions.

... Payvand News - 5/30/07 ...