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| INTRODUCTION Ardeshir Mohassess was born in Iran in 1938 and began drawing early in his childhood. In the 1960s, after receiving a degree in political science from Tehran University, he worked as an illustrator for Iranian journals and newspapers. Soon after, his drawings began to appear in major international newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times. In 1976, Mohassess left Iran for what he planned as a temporary stay in the United States. However, with the outbreak of the Iranian Revolution in 1979—which brought an end to the reign of the Pahlavi Shahs and instated a theocracy led by Ayatollah Khomeini—Mohassess chose to remain in New York, where he lives today. This is the first retrospective of Mohassess's work to be presented in the United States. The drawings on display were created between 1976 and 2000 and reveal his focus on the conflicts between the oppressor and the oppressed both before and after the Revolution of 1979. Mohassess's work is informed not only by the complexities of modern history and politics, but also by traditional Persian arts and culture. Throughout his career, Mohassess has remained a resolute social critic, focusing on the cruelty, humor, and vulnerability of human nature. Acclaimed artists Shirin Neshat and Nicky Nodjoumi are guest curators of the exhibition. Both Neshat and Nodjoumi have exhibited their work internationally and find inspiration in the life and art of Ardeshir Mohassess. Ardeshir Mohassess died on October 9, 2008 in New York City. He was 70. Read obituary here. |
BIOGRAPHY Ardeshir Mohassess (1938 - 2008) 1938 Born on September 9 in Rasht, Gilan Province, Iran 1941 Begins to draw at the age of three 1951 First cartoon published in the satirical Iranian journal Towfiq 1958 Included in the first Tehran Biennial, organized by Iran's Ministry of Culture, and enjoys continuous representation until the fourth Biennial in 1964 1962 Graduates from Tehran University with a degree in political science and law 1963 Begins to supply the Kayhan, the daily Tehran-based Iranian newspaper, and other local papers with cartoons and satirical drawings 1967 Solo exhibition at Qandriz Gallery, Tehran 1969 Solo exhibition at Sayhoun Gallery, Tehran 1971 Participates in a group exhibition at Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. 1973 First illustration published in the The New York Times; illustrates for the French periodical Jeune Afrique from June through November; solo exhibition at the Iran-America Society, Tehran 1974 Solo exhibition at Columbia University, New York; drawings from the The New York Times shown in a group exhibition at Musée du Louvre, Paris 1976 Solo exhibition at Darisi Gallery, Shiraz; Mohassess leaves Iran for New York City 1976–1978 Creates the Life in Iran series 1980 Begins to frequently illustrate articles for the The New York Times; included in the group exhibition, "Politics and Arts: Ten Years of Graphic Commentary, 1970–1980" at the American Institute for Graphic Arts, New York 1986 Solo exhibition at Persian Arts Foundation, Los Angeles; included in the International Biennial of Illustrations, Tokyo 2006 Solo exhibition at Homa Art Gallery, Tehran after a 30-year absence from his homeland 2007 Second solo exhibition at Homa Art Gallery in May 2008 Third solo exhibition at Homa Art Gallery opens in May |
GENERAL INFORMATION Dates: May 23rd - August 3rd Time: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (Friday until 9:00 pm) Location: New York Asia Society and Museum, 2nd Floor, Starr Galleries, 725 Park Avenue, New York Phone: 212-517-ASIA * * * This exhibition is made possible with major support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and Sheila and Hassan Nemazee. Additional support has been provided by Fereydoun Ave, Tamilla Ghodsi and |
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