Known as the “father of modern Iranian art”, it’s about time that Parviz Tanavoli receive a U.S. retrospective. The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts recently mounted Tanavoli’s first comprehensive retrospective, which is now on display now through June 7th.
The word “heech” is prevalent in his works; it means “nothing” or “nothingness” in Farsi. Tanavoli’s 3-D heech sculptures are complex and mimic Iran’s ancient calligraphy script. An abstract concept, he says: “Heech is not nothing. It has a body, a shape, but also a meaning behind it.” (Davis Museum)
The beauty in which Tanavoli intertwines Persian symbols and traditions with today’s pop art is what’s most striking. Aesthetically pleasing and thought-provoking, it’s beautiful to see Tanavoli’s sensitivity to his mother tongue!
Parviz Tanavoli in front of one of the sculptures on display currently at Wellesley College’s Davis Museum.
Image courtesy of: Davis Museum
A sampling of a few of Parviz Tanavoli’s works on display at Wellesley’s Davis Museum. “If one wants to define my work, they cannot separate it from my heritage,” he said. “The richness of Persian culture — it has kept me busy.” (The Republic)
Image courtesy of: The Republic
Installation view of “Parviz Tanavoli” at the Davis Museum. Here are some symbols exemplifying “heech”.
Image courtesy of: Ibraaz
