Saless Art gallery in Tehran is displaying a series of post-apocalyptic paintings by Zahra Qiasi.
It is the second solo show by Qiasi, who is a translator of visual art books and a professional painter since 2013, Tandis magazine of visual art reported on its Persian website Tandismag.com.
The exhibition is titled ‘Apoptosis’ and shows scenes of Tehran in a state of decay. There are nine large and one small paintings, which are oil on canvas. They will remain on view till May 1.
Featured are works that either depict destroyed places or are the harbingers of catastrophes waiting to happen hinted by the title of the event.
Public places, buildings and streets are rendered in a realistic style, but are situated in an unusual environment which makes the works rather surrealistic. An overcast sky with black dense clouds hovering over the city is present in most of the paintings. Perspectives are exaggerated and visitors can experience a mixed feeling both familiar and unusual at the same time.
Floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are further indications of the apocalypse or the impending disasters. There is no human in the scenes. Qiasi has painted some places which are familiar for Tehran residents, but the scenes are devoid of everyday attributes.
Saless Gallery is located at No. 148, Karim Khan Avenue, between the streets of Iranshahr and Mahshahr.
