Habib Farajabadi | "Vis-à-Vis": Dastan+2

Dastan is pleased to announce the opening of Habib Farajabadi’s solo exhibition “Vis-à-Vis” on September 28, 2018 at Dastan+2. The exhibition will be open for public viewing until October 19. This is Habib Farajabadi’s second solo exhibition at Dastan. Apart from his previous exhibition, “How Black” (Dastan+2, October 2018), his works have been previously featured in nine solo exhibitions, including one at Berlin’s GNYP Gallery and a show at Mottahedan Projects (Dubai, UAE), five at Homa Art Gallery, along with numerous group shows.

Habib Farajabadi (b. 1982, Shahroud, Iran) is one of the most prolific artists of his generation. As a self-taught artist who has developed his personal style through years of experimentation, his focus on non-figurative art and untiring efforts in his study-like approach are notable features evident in all of his body of work. Describing his practice as “contemplative”, he writes: “non-figurative painting… is still alive and this is because of the painterly interaction involved that is independent both in its content and form.”

Habib Farajabadi’s practice can be described as a continuous study in form, using diverse media and techniques, with an approach concentrated on process and repetition. “Vis-à-Vis”, a series of paintings executed in 2017 and 2018, are prime examples of Habib’s recent experiments in using a signature technique involving monoprint, drawings, and numerous styles of painting. “Vis-à-Vis” has been named for the use of painting on opposite sides of the canvas, especially using monoprinting, and their presentation style in the exhibition. Work on the series started in 2015 with simple yet delicate lines that can be traced in the smaller works in the current exhibition. The lines gradually grew into larger bodies and forms, many of which apparent in the larger pieces.