http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-1514862-farah-ossouli-ars-poetica-self-portrait/

Although the golden age of Persian miniature painting lasted from the 15th to the Although the golden age of Persian miniature painting lasted from the 15th to the 17th century, the practice persists today, and references to it can be seen in the 17th century, the practice persists today, and references to it can be seen in the work of many contemporary Iranian artists.  work of many contemporary Iranian artists.  Farah Ossouli, the Grande dame of contemporary Persian art, was one of the first Farah Ossouli, the Grande dame of contemporary Persian art, was one of the first artists to appropriate miniature painting as an authentic, personal, and artists to appropriate miniature painting as an authentic, personal, and contemporary artistic practice for portraying women’s lives. The gouache paintings contemporary artistic practice for portraying women’s lives. The gouache paintings on view depict the predicament of women in regions of conflict, transnationally and on view depict the predicament of women in regions of conflict, transnationally and transculturally. While her painting style may appear traditional, a closer look yields transculturally. While her painting style may appear traditional, a closer look yields layers of meaning, references, and innovations. Today, she occupies a prominent layers of meaning, references, and innovations. Today, she occupies a prominent position as an artist in Iran not only because of her unique artistic style and position as an artist in Iran not only because of her unique artistic style and prodigious production of works but also because of her active involvement in Iranian prodigious production of works but also because of her active involvement in Iranian contemporary art. contemporary art. Her works are widely collected. Most recently, her work was acquired by:Her works are widely collected. Most recently, her work was acquired by:• The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York, United StatesThe Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York, United States• Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi, IndiaDevi Art Foundation, New Delhi, India• Bank Of Pasargad, Tehran, IranBank Of Pasargad, Tehran, Iran• Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, IranTehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, Iran• Tropen Museum, Amsterdam, NetherlandsTropen Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands• Ludwig Museum, Koblenz, GermanyLudwig Museum, Koblenz, Germany

Ars poeticaArs poeticaSelf Portrait 2010Self Portrait 2010

Bird Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Descent Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010

acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Flight Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Flowerbed Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Flowers Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010

acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Memory Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Rebellion Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Soil Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010

acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Tree Ars poetica Self portrait series 2010

acrylic on canvas 30x30 cm

Sound: Zohreh Jooya – Bidad

Text and pictures: Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Arangement: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

ARTIST STATEMENTARTIST STATEMENTSelf-portraits from Ars PoeticaSelf-portraits from Ars Poetica

These works depict aspects of women’s lives. In each work, a woman is These works depict aspects of women’s lives. In each work, a woman is depicted surrounded by weapons – guns, fighter jets, knives, and rockets – depicted surrounded by weapons – guns, fighter jets, knives, and rockets – while the words of Forugh Farrokhzad's poems frame the images and help while the words of Forugh Farrokhzad's poems frame the images and help to reveal the women’s stories. Wounded birds, a blood-colored river, and to reveal the women’s stories. Wounded birds, a blood-colored river, and other elements show symbolically that what we see at first sight is not the other elements show symbolically that what we see at first sight is not the reality. For example, in one of the works, a woman is covering her mouth reality. For example, in one of the works, a woman is covering her mouth with her own hands, while the accompanying poem reads, “I want to say with her own hands, while the accompanying poem reads, “I want to say no, no, no...” Around that poem, there is a border filled with guns, no, no, no...” Around that poem, there is a border filled with guns, representing that which is preventing her from saying "No." In another representing that which is preventing her from saying "No." In another image, a woman is depicted in a seductive pose; however, a closer image, a woman is depicted in a seductive pose; however, a closer examination reveals that she has been beheaded.examination reveals that she has been beheaded.The contrast between appearance and reality that exists in my own The contrast between appearance and reality that exists in my own surroundings is a motivation for my works. surroundings is a motivation for my works.