GNYP

Habib Farajabadi (b. 1982; Iran) uses all sorts of tools to compose his acrylic paintings, things such as nails, wood stock, forks and hair brush, without ever dispensing the regular paint brush. Now and then, these marks suggests something of hieroglyphic signs, ancient calligraphies, letters of non-existing alphabets. Farajabadi works on both sides of the canvas, even if much of the surface is left raw and visible.

Where there is a conscious choice of using color, he’s not economical: the artist often prefers bright, strident tones. His acrylic brushstrokes remind, in their texture and ludic colours, childish chalk; either that or the canvas is taken by a dark atmosphere. The color black is always present, sometimes as dominating hue, others supporting a colourful composition, something even more present in the rawness of his drawings. Also a sculptor, Farajabadi works mainly with wood and plywood, on which additional elements are incorporated, creating, sometimes, a contrast between the colourful bodies of his pieces and its menacing heads.

Recent solo exhibitions include Duane Thomas Gallery, NewYork; TWFineart, Brisbane; Dastan 2, Tehran; Mottahedan Projects, Dubai and Rotor2, Gothenburg. Recent group exhibitions include Galerie Georg Nothelfer, Berlin; Ever Gold [Projects], Los Angeles; Huset for Kunst Og Design, Holstebro; Pasinger Fabrik, Munich; Levantine Cultural Center, Los Angeles; Galerie Frank Pagès, Geneva; LaTriennale Design Museum, Milan and Dr. Sandouzi Museum and Imam Ali Museum, Tehran among others.

Habib Farajabadi lives and works in Teheran.