Mohammad Piryaee | "Behind the Seas": +2

+2 proudly presents “Beyond the Seas,” a solo exhibition of works by Mohammad Piryaee, opening on July 14, 2023. The show will continue until August 11, 2023. This is Mohammad Piryaee’s second solo exhibition with Dastan after "Stairway to Odessa" (2020) at +2. His work has also been presented in Dastan’s Art Dubai 2023 and Artissima 2021 booths.

Piryaee explores an unattainable realm through his artwork, inspired by Sohrab Sepehri's vision of a utopic city in his "Eight Books" (1976). In the works on paper that make up part of this exhibition, by drawing parallel-like lines that meet, he symbolizes the pursuit of reaching a utopia, reflecting his personal journey in coping with grief and loss.

“Beyond the Seas” includes sculptures depicting boats, inspired by the reference to boats in Sohrab Sepehri's eponymous poem. The sculptures, positioned on stands of varying heights throughout the gallery, create an illusion of them floating on waves. Symbolically, the boats never touch water, alluding to an unseen sea and city as well as the unattainability of the utopian destination. Placing the sculptures on different levels adds depth and dimension to the space, immersing viewers in a panoramic vision.

Through the combination of sculpture, spatial arrangement, and poetic references, the exhibition creates a contemplative atmosphere that encourages viewers to reflect on the unattainability and interconnectedness of grief, imagination, and the pursuit of utopia.

Piryaee has had multiple solo exhibitions, including "Autobiography" (Choom Gallery, Bandar-e Anzali, 2020) | "Stairway to Odessa” (+2, Tehran, 2019) | “Red Tomb” (Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, 2017) | “Lazarus Was Dead” (Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, 2016). His works have been acquired by the Ahwaz Museum of Contemporary Art, the Boghossian Collection (Geneva), and the Fereydoun Collection.