 1423;
Paintings
By Behnam Farahpour
August
2, 2003
The Iranian
My solo exhibition will be on display at the Tryst
Lounge in Washingtoon DC during August 2003. Reception: Tuesday,
August 5th, 2003, 7-9 pm.
A segment of time; nine years to be exact. This show represents
my work from the age of 14 to my present age of 23. These paintings
were completed in the last few years but the under paintings
began in my early days as a painter. The semicolon at the end
of 1423 indicates a separation of the past nine years and next
segment of time. I feel that this portion of my work is complete
and now I am ready to move forward.
Changes in style, medium and subject interest me;
however, this work displays the loose and expressive technique
that has evolved
and become my own over the years.
I enjoy juxtaposing objects and subjects to create
a collage of cultural and religious issues. Bringing together different
elements
and witnessing the viewer's reaction gives me satisfaction. But
the process of creating work is what interests me the most.
My paintings don’t follow a format or specific
subject matter. They are to be viewed and hung in various ways
without following
a set standard.
My experience as a designer has allowed me to foster
an appreciation for typography and calligraphy. In my latest works,
I have found
that type adds an interesting design element that does not exist
in my earlier paintings. I feel that I design my paintings more
than just paint them.
The subject of a majority of these painting is figures
of my friends or relatives that have migrated to the states. Some
have
stayed
in the same fashion and refuse to change their Persian habits
while others have assimilated to western culture and have become
more
American. I am not making a judgment on one or the other, but
trying to show the differences between them. Current issues
need to be
addressed rather than kept behind a curtain.
I try to arrange western and Iranian cultural and
historical symbols together. Some blend better than others. I choose
not
to use icons
or advertisements of corporations in an effort to not be
categorized as a pop artist.
I started making postcards during my first year
of college as a journal of each day. They reflect the days that
I have
had
- some
good and some bad. I love making
them; arranging the images, writing over them and mailing it out.
Working in design has allowed me to see that collaboration
with others can result in better communication of an idea. If you
are an artist and
would
like to collaborate
I welcome all ideas and concepts for new projects. Please contact me.
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