Promise of Paradise
Goodman Gallery Johannesburg
27 January - 6 March 2024
Sepideh Mehraban | Promise of Paradise
Goodman Gallery Johannesburg
27 January - 6 March 2024
Sepideh Mehraban
Head-Image
Goodman Gallery presents Promise of Paradise, a solo exhibition by Iranian-born, South African-based artist Sepideh Mehraban.
Presenting a new series of paintings, the artist offers celebratory scenes that project a more hopeful view on the future of life in Iran.
Sepideh Mehraban
Weaving Paradise, 2023
Acrylic paint and gold leaf on canvas
Work: 75 x 110 cm (29.5 x 43.3 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban
Interwined, 2023
Acrylic paint and gold leaf on canvas
Work: 75 x 110 cm (29.5 x 43.3 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban
Entwine, 2023
Acrylic paint and gold leaf on canvas
Work: 75 x 110 cm (29.5 x 43.3 in.)
Unique
Over the last decade Mehraban has looked at Iran’s contemporary history, with a particular focus on censorship, discriminatory laws against women and unpacking who has the power to write history. The artist also considers the parallels between post revolution Iran and post apartheid South Africa, and how the promise of a better life for the majority is not always met.
Sepideh Mehraban
Sheroes, 2023
Acrylic paint and gold leaf on canvas
Work: 110 x 75 cm (43.3 x 29.5 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban
Nomad I, 2023
Oil paint and gold leaf on canvas
Work: 110 x 70 cm (43.3 x 27.6 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban
Nomad II, 2023
Oil paint and silver leaf on canvas
Work: 110 x 75 cm (43.3 x 29.5 in.)
Unique
Since 2018, Persian carpets have held a presence in the artist’s practice, operating as both canvases and as significant cultural objects that signify regional patterns and homelife. Continuing this, Mehraban’s new body of work resembles the bright colours and woven structures of Persian carpets, transferring the decorative designs to oil paint and gold leaf’s malleability. This is paired with imagery and poetic references to 13th-16th century Persian miniatures, portraying celebratory scenes, lovers enjoying the outdoors and moments of joy in everyday life. Revisiting this ancient heritage is a homage to Iran’s rich history and presents a vision of a bright future for contemporary Iran.
Sepideh Mehraban
Weaving Letters I, 2023
Persian carpet, glue and gold leaf
Work: 55 x 75 cm (21.7 x 29.5 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban
Weaving Letters II, 2023
Persian carpet, glue and gold leaf
Work: 60 x 79 cm (23.6 x 31.1 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban
Weaving Letters III, 2023
Persian carpet, glue and gold leaf
Work: 51 x 76 cm (20.1 x 29.9 in.)
Unique
Sepideh Mehraban (b. 1986, Tehran, Iran) explores memory and landscape through the historical lens of her home country.
A significant international moment in 2022-2023 was her inclusion in Eyes on Iran, Organized by Woman, Life, Freedom Campaign, FDR Four Freedoms Park, New York.
Mehraban’s work forms part of public and private collections such as Alzahra University in Tehran, Iran; the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Spier Arts Trust, Cape Town, South Africa; Thulamela Chambers, Johannesburg, South Africa; Norval Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa; A4 Arts Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa and the Luciano Benetton Collection, Italy.
Mehraban lives and works in Cape Town.