n°1197 – Turning Epochs

• artist : Omid Khakbaz
• title : Turning Epochs
• date : 2018
• material : Mix media on canvas
• high : 120 cm
• width : 120 cm

The present collection is a distinguished example of the artist’s abstract approach towards writingand penmanship for having a formalistic creation. Despite his return to traditional elements and features (a combination of calligraphy and mirror-work) and laying emphasis on the concept of passing times and the creation of a symbolic, secret atmosphere, the collection is based on a random arrangement of letters. For this reason, the recurrence of meaningless words and letters in every part of works is indicative of evolution in thought and artistic taste, in departure from calligraphy tradition to lettrism. Omid Khakbaz, in this collection, attempts to have freedom in performing calligraphy without caring about traditional rules and principles. Therefore, he applies the circular form in a centripetal composition being indicative of the inclination of everything towards its origin. This matter, in terms of mystic interpretation, is also visible in Eastern art and architecture. Although these two issues may seem different at first (one is totally abstract and recurring, the other, figurative), this is the exact quality/characteristic seen in Islamic-Persian architecture, especially in brick-work and mirror-work of religious and historic buildings. In the present collection the painter aims at reading a mysterious and wonderful image of Persian art history. This trend is ranging from the brick-work of Seljuq domes to amazing mirror-work of Qajar period. He invites us during this long journey to visit the magnificence of those recurring, invocation-like motifs and arrangements of bricks and rectangle mirrors of the Persian circular domes. Color and light, in this way, take a major role in the works of the artist. Perhaps it is due to the extraordinary, unusual size of his canvases and the presence of delicate mirror-work as well as the reflection of light and colors in calligraphic forms that such works assert tremendous influence on the addressees, as if they are sauntering in a lovely, pretty orchard.