Farhad Moshiri is a leading Iranian artist of Middle Eastern contemporary art who attracts enormous public attention. At first, his painting series of aged jars with calligraphy made him take an active part in the international art scene. Afterwards, he found inspiration in the bling-bling element of contemporary society in Tehran. Currently, Moshiri is taking a step further by using diverse materials such as gold-leaf, bead embroidery, chandelier, and knives.

Farhad Mishiri's artworks are amalgamation of traditional Iranian forms and those of the consumerist and globalized popular culture that is widespread throughout his country. To express the image of Western culture, he continues to draw upon the traditional feminine technique of bead embroidery. These Iranian craftsmanship and pop culture merge or often confront each other with irony.

In his installations, Moshiri uses the tradition of readymade by gathering found objects to make use of oxymoron to reveal the ambiguity of a country that is ceaselessly transforming itself. His thoughts are well shown through his action: Moshiri sticking an accumulation of knives on the wall of the gallery. For the current exhibition, the artist created the word My Flower. Unlike what the title signifies, it is an installation composed of knives which practically present violence and grief. Farhad Moshiri's message is effectively exposed by contrasting images and contents, implicitly included in conflicting grammar.

About Artist
Farhad Moshiri left Iran in 1979, the year of the hostage crisis and stayed in Los Angeles for 12 years where he completed his training at the California Institute of Arts. He currently lives and works in Tehran, the capital of Iran and Paris.

Courtesy of the artist and Gallery Hyundai