Ali Akbar Sharifi Mehrjardi
An Investigation of space and colour in pictorial tradition & artistic
identity as a new language of contemporary art
In contemporary Iranian Arts, particularly in painting, the two movements
of Traditionalism and Modernism challenge each other. Iranian painters have
been influenced by western painting from the beginning of the twentieth century.
In recent decades artists have always discussed and explored the ideas of traditionalism
and modernism. This is what has come to be known as the “identity crisis”.
Between 1940 and 1970 the number of artists, who were later called Neo-traditionalists, have been trying to create the new art works by using traditional elements in order to revive interest in and knowledge of the traditions of Persian painting. In fact, contemporary Iranian painters have been trying to achieve an appropriate new language for the future generation of artists. All the new artistic movements have had the same approach which is discovering of an identity through exploring traditional and national roots.
I intend to explore new experiences by emphasising the main elements
of space and colour which have been inspired by the traditions of
Persian miniature paintings.
I believe that Persian painting has considerable influence on the work
of many contemporary artists.
In my research I will analyse the effects of this inspiration from Persian
miniature painting and discover how it has influenced the identity of contemporary
Iranian Painting.
My main aim in this research is to develop practical solutions by
analysing the pictorial tradition of Iranian art, particularly in
painting, in order to uncover the evolutionary processes which have
led to the most perfect examples of miniatures which appear in book
illustrations.
I aim to analyse the similarities and differences between the original miniatures of the 9th century and those contemporary works which have been inspired by Persian miniature paintings. In fact, space and colour have been the main ideas in the artists’ minds and each one has appeared in different forms. My intention is to discover those aspects and develop them in my research.
Academic qualifications
1993-1996 MA in painting, Tarbiat Modarres University, Faculty of Art, Tehran,Iran1987-1992 BA in painting, Tehran University, Faculty of fine Arts, Tehran, Iran
1983-1987 Diploma in Graphic design, School of Visual Arts, Yazd, Iran
Teaching
1997-2002 Lecturer at the school of art and arch, Yazd University • Membership of professional bodies:2004-2006 Member of Atelier Circulaire ”Printmaking Studio” , Montreal, Canada 1999-2002 Head of painting department, Yazd University
Presentations and exhibitions
2003 Group Exhibition, Printmaking & Etching, for help to earthquake in Bam, Montreal, Canada2004 Group Exhibition, From Figuration to Abstraction, Visual Art Centre, Montreal, Canada