Sohrab Sepehri (Iranian, 1928-1980)

'The painter-poet Sohrab Sepehri instills poetry into his paintngs. By following the aesthetics of Zen masters, his representational or semi-abstract abstract paintings achieved impressive brevity in their representation of nature. As in his poems, his interest lies with the simple and the serene. Using earthy colours (ochre, sienna, brown) and black brushstrokes, Sepehri was one of the very few (Iranian) artists who looked to the East for inspiration, travelling to India and Japan. The serenity of his minimalist landscapes, where the panorama is simply suggested, is also reflected in his delightful poetry.'
R. Issa, "Borrowed Ware", Iranian Contemporary Art, London, 2001, p.20