"Isfahan" RASHIN KHEIRIYEH & SINA NAYERI
22 September – 06 October, 2016
Opening Reception to meet the artists
September 22nd, 2016 from 6 - 8 pm
SYRA Arts presents the first collaboration between Iranian artists Rashin Kheiriyeh and Sina Nayeri …a collection of paintings that provide a window into the world of Persian art and literature.
Inspired by traditional Persian art techniques and poems by Rumi, Rashin and Sina bring together woodblock printing techniques with hand-lettering from their Iranian heritage and incorporate Western abstraction.This exhibition of paintings brings the perspective of the traditional artworks from Isfahan, a beautiful city in Iran. Isfahan is known worldwide for talented artisans who specialize in textiles, carpets, woodwork, painting, and inlay pieces. It is home to breathtaking Persian–Islamic architecture and paintings. There’s a Persian proverb that says"Isfahan nesf-e jahan” or “Isfahan is half the world.”
Rashin Kheiriyeh is internationally recognized for her award-winning children’s books. She’s an artist who is making waves with her paintings and animation, illustration and graphic design. Her works reveal a quirky, edgy aesthetic and deeply original style. Drawing on her love of Persian literature, she combines ancient and modern traditions in a distinct, signature style.Born in Khorramshahr, Rashin was a year old when her family was forced to leave her home as the town was invaded by Iraqi troops. Her family moved from the south of Iran to its capital city, Tehran. She studied Graphic design in Iran and Paris, continuing her studies at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. Today, she’s helping college students appreciate Iran’s cultural treasures through her working teaching animation and art at the University of Maryland.
Sina Nayeri is a painter, graphic designer, animator and calligrapher.His unique focus and proficiency in Persian calligraphy and woodblock printing introduces Farsi letters and traditional patterns from Isfahan art into different mediums including paintings and animation.Originally born in Isfahan, Sina and his family moved to the United States in 2002. He studied graphic design at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in New York City. Sina’s art has been featured in several group exhibitions in New York.
Married since 2012, Rashin and Sina live and work from their home studio in Virginia.
SYRA Arts has been promoting contemporary Middle Eastern art and artists in the United States since 2011. The gallery, which represents some of the Middle East’s leading contemporary painters, sculptors, and jewelry designers, gives a glimpse of the depth and diversity of contemporary art in the region through showcasing work by artists of different generations in a range of artistic mediums.
Click here for a PDF version of the exhibition press release.