The silent brush: Selected Works of Prominent Contemporary
Artists from Iran
This exhibition is not just a collection of important and beautiful
works of art by some of Iran's most talented and prominent artists, but
it is also a reflection of both Iran's and the United State's desire to
be involved in cultural exchange. In the twenty years following the Islamic
Revolution, no collection this large or of this quality has ever traveled
outside of Iran.
Most of the credit for making this exhibition possible must be given
to thethree galleries in Tehran that collaborated in bringing the art to
the United States: Aria Gallery, Vali Gallery, Nour Gallery.
With Aria Eghbal's leadership (Aria Gallery), the three galleries worked
for months to curate a collection of 150 paintings and works on paper.
The first presentation was made at the New York ArtExpo in March 2000.
In April 2000, the exhibition opened at the Center for Iranian Modern Art
in New York.
Due to a generous sponsorship by Chevron Corporation, this collection
of contemporary art was able to travel to Washington DC. It brings me sincere
pleasure and a feeling of gratification to have this exhibition housed
at the Atrium Gallery in the Ronald Reagan Trade Center in Washington DC.
There are also two acknowledgments to be made in the development of
this exhibition. Saghar Barzmehri, a graphic designer, is the Coordinator
of Evolving Perceptions, an artist based organization committed to Iranian
and Iranian-American artists in Washington DC.
After a trip to Iran in 1999, Saghar was determined to bring this exhibition
to Washington DC. Through her help as well as the help of countless individuals
,the Ganbari family, Reza Akhavan, Sayeh Behnam, Aylene Fallah, and Jahangir
Golanbari, The Silent Brush has finally arrived.
Aisha D. Davis of DESHO Productions believed in the importance of this
exhibition and committed herself to helping make this exhibition a reality.
Her relentless commitment and endless hours of discussions with Chevron
Corporation and the Ronald Reagan Trade Center allowed for the publication
of this catalogue and the installation of this exhibit, The Silent Brush.
Through the opening of Gallery Ovissi, the only gallery that specializes
in contemporary Iranian art in the United States, I have made a personal
commitment to the promotion and education of Iranian contemporary artists.
I have also involved myself in the world of art as a way to educate my
community about Iran and Iranians.
I hope in the near future we will be able to take an exhibition from
the United States to Iran and create artist exchange and travel study programs.
Artists speak a universal language. The artists of Iran and the United
States have the unique power to begin the communication process between
two countries who once were enemies. I believe The Silent Brush is the
manifestation of this burgeoning dialogue.
Maryam Ovissi
Gallery Ovissi, Emeryville,
California
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