Art Dubai 2025

SARAI Gallery is thrilled to return to Art Dubai for its fifth consecutive year, showcasing a curated selection of works by four exceptional Iranian artists from April 18 to 20, 2025, in the Contemporary Section. Featuring the distinctive voices of Morteza Khakshoor (1984), Orkideh Torabi (1979), Abbas Nasle Shamloo (1983), and Azin Zolfaghari (1982), this exhibition provides a distinctive insight into the vibrant landscape of contemporary Iranian art.
Morteza Khakshoor’s paintings delve into the complexities of masculinity, shedding light on its contradictions, struggles, and emotional depth. Through his striking visual language, Khakshoor challenges traditional notions of male identity, capturing a vulnerability and emotional depth in the male experience that offers a refreshing
departure from mainstream portrayals.
Similarly, Orkideh Torabi’s paintings blend Persian miniature painting with contemporary cocepts, offering a playful yet incisive critique of societal norms and gender roles. Through her whimsical characters and Theatrical compositions, she reimagines masculinity from a female perspective, subverting traditional portrayals and challenging patriarchal structures to prompt a reconsideration of gender dynamics.
Azin Zolfaghari’s work portrays urban landscapes as a potent metaphor for both her own body and the broader societal conditions around her. Through muted tones and confined spaces, her paintings reflect the physical and emotional decay caused by her chronic autoimmune disease, which deteriorates her skin, mirroring a society wounded by oppressive forces of control and security.
Abbas Nasle Shamloo, on the other hand, depicts landscapes, abandoned structures, and vessels set against the backdrop of nature, evoking a profound sense of solitude and seclusion. Through these quiet, desolate scenes, Shamloo masterfully conveys the passage of time and the interplay between human presence and nature’s reclaiming force.
Together, these four artists offer a compelling reflection of the Iranian art scene, examining the intersection of personal narratives and shared cultural experiences within a contemporary context. Their diverse perspectives illuminate the evolving artistic discourse that continues to shape Iran’s dynamic art scene.