AFSHIN PIRHASHEMI (IRANIAN, B. 1974)

Afshin Pirhashemi is a frontrunner of Iranian contemporary art whose oeuvre moves towards Neo-Expressionism. Using an amalgamation of Western imagery and techniques with Iranian references and symbols, Pirhashemi deliberately uses provocative images of women for psychological and formal purposes; particularly the socio-political developments that are taking place in Iran as well as the region as a whole have affected the artist profoundly. Recrudescence, which in fact means the strong revival of a behaviour that has been dormant, is the artist's largest work to date. Each of the recurring figures and lines seem to originate from the central figure that occupies a circular composition. These circles imply a sense of passage of time and changeability, implying that each of these objects and figures can be replaced and will continue to grow exponentially; the fight for liberty (as symbolised by the statue of liberty) is an ongoing challenge that is gaining momentum and is poignant in today's political climate. His exclusive use of black and white stems from a desire for clarity within this fantastical world and allows the viewer to interpret the composition and message at hand without being distracted.