MATRIX 185 ALI BANISADR - Wadsworth Atheneum
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WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:12 PM Page 1
ALI BANISADR SEE
MATRIX 185 People are alway
into the void—th
—Ali Banisadr
Did Ali Banisadr a
pandemic? Artist
the world has all
completed in ear
red sky hung wit
to be shipped ab
in mid-March 202
of the coronaviru
the World Health
composition assu
worldwide pande
Banisadr’s painti
of events. Howev
United States’ dr
Qasem Soleimani
aftermath, Iran r
in Qom. Its red co
retaliatory action
the American Pre
Republican party
red can mean urg
coronavirus lock
adding floating c
With layers of me
from the persona
literature, music
painting, a new g
which he refers t
synesthesia, whi
enhanced which
taste, etc. Somet
bordering on eac
OCTOBER 22, 2020 — FEBRUARY 14, 2021 As a boy in Tehra
WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART COVER: RED, 2020 (DETAIL)
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:12 PM Page 2
DR SEEING RED
RED, 2020
85 People are always afraid of what they don’t understand, but artists always step
into the void—the unknown. The unknown territory is where it is worth exploring.1
—Ali Banisadr
Did Ali Banisadr anticipate the heightened global unrest caused by the coronavirus
pandemic? Artists have historically been cited as prophets; their acute sensitivity to
the world has allowed them to forecast future events. Banisadr’s painting Red (2020),
completed in early January 2020, depicts a chaotic, dystopian world beneath a toxic
red sky hung with an ominous blue sun (or moon). The work left his studio in January
to be shipped abroad, destined to be presented at the Art Basel Hong Kong art fair
in mid-March 2020. By early February the art fair was cancelled due to the severity
of the coronavirus outbreak and the declaration of a global health emergency by
the World Health Organization. Red was returned to the artist’s studio where the
composition assumed a new layer of relevance within the context of the
worldwide pandemic.
Banisadr’s paintings are never about one subject, but more like a subconscious chain
of events. However, he traces some initial stimuli for Red to a then-current event, the
United States’ drone strike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020, that killed Iranian General
Qasem Soleimani, considered the second most powerful person in Iran.2 In the
aftermath, Iran raised a blood-red flag of revenge over the blue Mosque of Jamkaran
in Qom. Its red color signified blood spilled unjustly and simultaneously called for
retaliatory action against the United States. But for Banisadr, red also connects to
the American President and his signature extra-long red necktie symbolizing the
Republican party. In more general terms, the artist also cites color theory, in which basement during
red can mean urgency and danger. With the painting back in the studio for the monsters. His mo
coronavirus lockdown, Banisadr sensed the need to make adjustments, including Today Banisadr fo
adding floating crowns menacing one figure. compositions in w
With layers of meaning, each painting resolves a complex research project that spans Travel and living
from the personal to the universal and encompasses his many interests: art history, Iran and moved t
literature, music, ancient history, popular culture, and current events. For every twenty years aft
painting, a new group of texts, images, and printouts cover his studio tabletops, to unfamiliar plac
which he refers to as “mood boards.” From here, the artist’s process relates to artistic an outside obser
synesthesia, which he describes as “an interior place [where]…the senses are super horizontally-orie
enhanced which makes you extra sensitive to energy, sounds, visual things, colors, abstraction—pres
taste, etc. Sometimes it can become very intense, the experience of the senses Variously human,
bordering on each other.” This simultaneous perception can be traced to his childhood. the figures, only
14, 2021 As a boy in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), he would escape to the paintings in the e
inhabiting the “b
M OF ART COVER: RED, 2020 (DETAIL) palettes with an
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 3
RED, 2020 THE PROPHET, 2020 (TOP)
THE CARAVAN, 2020 (BOTTOM
always step
rth exploring.1
coronavirus
e sensitivity to
ting Red (2020),
eneath a toxic
dio in January
Kong art fair
the severity
rgency by
where the
he
onscious chain
rent event, the
Iranian General
2
In the
e of Jamkaran
y called for
connects to
olizing the
ory, in which basement during Iraqi bombings, making sense of the terrifying sounds by drawing
for the monsters. His mother recalls these moments of which the artist has no memory.
, including Today Banisadr follows a sense of inner sound, approaching his artworks like musical
compositions in which his gestures translate sound into energy, rhythm, and color.
oject that spans Travel and living in different cultures inspire his work as well. In 1988, his family left
s: art history, Iran and moved to Turkey, then California. Banisadr has now lived in New York for
For every twenty years after initially moving there to attend art school. International travel
tabletops, to unfamiliar places also fuels his creative curiosity. He assumes the perspective of
elates to artistic an outside observer in his compositions. Seen from a bird’s-eye view, the large,
nses are super horizontally-oriented landscapes—oscillating between representation and
ings, colors, abstraction—present stage-like settings teeming with masses of hybrid figures.
he senses Variously human, animal, vegetable, and even machine, there is no central focus among
to his childhood. the figures, only movement. The Prophet (2020) and The Caravan (2020), two new
ape to the paintings in the exhibition, bristle with activity. Banisadr describes these works as
inhabiting the “between space” of hallucinations and dreams rendered in intense color
palettes with an “infinite variety” in methods of paint application.
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THE PROPHET, 2020 (TOP) ONLY BREATH, 2020
THE CARAVAN, 2020 (BOTTOM)
Banisadr’s popul
fantastic narrati
peasant scenes.
and entropy, and
time of instabilit
movement, Banis
to the political ra
s by drawing recent headlines
o memory.
ks like musical In addition to fig
m, and color. and prints, such
or square, the sm
his family left The two painting
w York for Nothing is planne
ional travel inner sense of so
erspective of figuration. There
he large, notes of the pain
and then the painting
d figures.
tral focus among Banisadr’s titles
0), two new titles are importa
ese works as painted surprisin
d in intense color strong sense of c
figures, one dom
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 5
ONLY BREATH, 2020 FOOT SOLDIER, 2016 THE LEVANTER, 2017
Banisadr’s populated views are reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch’s (c. 1450–1516)3
fantastic narrative paintings and Pieter Brueghel the Elder’s (c. 1525-30–1569)4
peasant scenes. They depict intangible worlds that balance order and chaos, energy
and entropy, and his figures seem to be in a constant state of transformation. In this
time of instability and change, from the coronavirus to the Black Lives Matter
movement, Banisadr’s masses in motion, or commotion, feel especially connected
to the political rallies, protest marches, and street riots that have dominated
recent headlines and international discourse.
In addition to figurative landscapes, the artist also works on a small scale in paintings
and prints, such as in Only Breath (2020), and The Levanter (2017). Vertically oriented spots (or droplet
or square, the small paintings can be understood as portraits or focused narratives. pandemic that in
The two paintings are also primarily monochromatic, one in violet and the other in blue. heard. The title a
Nothing is planned in advance. Banisadr begins with a blank canvas and follows an breathe.” Finally
inner sense of sound, building the image from fragmented abstraction to emerging Persian poet Jala
figuration. There is a musical element to the process. He continues to work until the our differences,
notes of the painting achieve an inner harmony, which is when the sound quiets; the past, present
then the painting is complete, except for the title.
Banisadr’s bound
Banisadr’s titles come to the artist over time spent with the completed painting. And Wadsworth Athen
titles are important, often with multiple references. As a small work, Only Breath was the museum that
painted surprisingly quickly, according to the artist. Its urgency was signaled by its eye is drawn and
strong sense of color, a rich and vivid violet with red accents. The work depicts four he shares on soc
figures, one dominating the foreground with a visible gloved hand. Pattern, especially pool that resonat
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 6
THE LEVANTER, 2017
1450–1516)3
30–1569)4
chaos, energy
mation. In this
Matter
y connected
minated
cale in paintings
rtically oriented spots (or droplets) dot the surface. The artist made Only Breath in the midst of a
ed narratives. pandemic that inhibits breathing. Breath also speaks to protest, one’s voice being
the other in blue. heard. The title also evokes some of the last words spoken by George Floyd, “I can’t
d follows an breathe.” Finally, Only Breath is the title of a famous poem by the thirteenth-century
to emerging Persian poet Jalal al-Din Rumi5 (a favorite of Banisadr) that reminds us that despite
work until the our differences, we are all just human. Banisadr’s allusions are varied and speak to
nd quiets; the past, present, and future.
Banisadr’s boundless interests have inspired multiple companion projects at the
d painting. And Wadsworth Atheneum. The artist created a video collage of works located throughout
Only Breath was the museum that inspire him. The collage presents specific details to which his artistic
gnaled by its eye is drawn and reveals how he sees these works. This is a regular practice that
k depicts four he shares on social media.6 A small installation from the collection—drawn from the
tern, especially pool that resonated with him as he scoured the museum’s digital catalogue last
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 7 THE HEALERS, 2020
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 8
CANNONS HIDDEN IN ROSES,
winter—accents t
and cultures—Ba
installation that
Caprichos and Lo
Utagawa Hiroshig
(2016) hanging a
animated by curi
And with sound a
a music playlist t
accessible both i
and on thewadsw
Banisadr’s expan
from the persona
to the macrocosm
considers societi
human condition
PATRICIA HICKSO
The Emily Hall Tremai
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 9
ALI
CANNONS HIDDEN IN ROSES, 2019
Banisadr is the subje
at the Benaki Museum
Bardini & Palazzo Vec
recently the subject
museum exhibitions a
Fine Arts, Vienna; Het
Bosch, Netherlands; a
Contemporary Art, Ja
work was included in
Contemporary Art fro
Neighbors, The 55th
Venice Biennale; and
Biennale 6. Banisadr’
WORKS IN THE E
PAINTINGS
Exterior, 2015
Oil on linen
16 x 16 in.
Courtesy of the artis
Interior, 2015
Oil on linen
16 x 16 in.
winter—accents the new paintings and prints in this project. Works from different eras Courtesy of the artis
and cultures—Banisadr clearly doesn’t believe in borders—populate the salon-style Foot Soldier, 2016
installation that includes a panel painting after Bosch, several prints from the Los Oil on linen
Caprichos and Los Proverbios series by Francisco Goya, woodblock landscape prints by 10 x 8 in.
Utagawa Hiroshige, and an assemblage by Joseph Cornell. With Banisadr’s Foot Soldier Courtesy of Sperone
(2016) hanging among them, their affinity is evident: strange and vivid worlds often Treasure, 2016
animated by curious or monstrous creatures. Oil on linen
66 x 88 in.
Collection of Joshua
And with sound as a key component of his artistic process, Banisadr has also created
The Levanter, 2017
a music playlist that relates to the exhibition. These companion projects will be
Oil on linen
accessible both in the gallery and remotely on the Wadsworth’s social media channels 24 x 24 in.
and on thewadsworth.org. Private collection
Red, 2020
Banisadr’s expansive MATRIX project encompasses his engagement with the world, Oil on linen
from the personal to the universal, across time and cultures, from the microcosm 48 x 60 in.
to the macrocosm. Driven by impulse and an artist’s eye, Banisadr observes and Collection Het Noord
considers societies past, present, and future and acts as a social critic on the ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Th
human condition. Only Breath, 2020
Oil on linen
20 x 16 in.
PATRICIA HICKSON
Courtesy of Kasmin G
The Emily Hall Tremaine Curator of Contemporary Art
WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 10
ALI BANISADR
American, born in Teh
Lives and works in Br
Banisadr is the subject of upcoming solo exhibitions significant public collections worldwide, including After Pieter Brueghel
at the Benaki Museum, Athens; and Museo Stefano the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; the (Flemish, c. 1525–156
Bardini & Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. He was British Museum, London; Centre Pompidou, Paris; Avaritia (Greed), c. 15
recently the subject of solo and two-person Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Engraving on paper
museum exhibitions at Gemäldegalerie, Academy of Washington, D.C.; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Edward Go
Fine Arts, Vienna; Het Noordbrabants Museum, Den New York; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los
Persian
Bosch, Netherlands; and the Museum of Angeles; Los Angeles County Museum of Art;
Laila and Majnun, pag
Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, FL. In 2013, his Museum der Moderne, Salzburg; and the
(five poems) of Nizam
work was included in Love Me/Love Me Not, Philadelphia Museum of Art. Banisadr is the subject
Ink, watercolor, and g
Contemporary Art from Azerbaijan and its of a forthcoming monograph, published by Rizzoli,
Gift of Kirkor Minass
Neighbors, The 55th International Art Exhibition, to be released Spring 2021 to coincide with his
Venice Biennale; and Expanded Painting, Prague upcoming exhibition at Kasmin Gallery. Utagawa Hiroshige (b
Biennale 6. Banisadr’s work is included in (Japanese, 1797–185
New Year’s Eve Foxfir
WORKS IN THE EXHIBITION From the series One H
of Edo, nd
PAINTINGS The Prophet, 2020 Woodblock print
Oil on linen Gift of Mrs. Jared K. M
Exterior, 2015
66 x 88 in. William Blake (English
Oil on linen
Courtesy of Kasmin Gallery, New York The Lord answered Jo
16 x 16 in.
Courtesy of the artist The Caravan, 2020 Engraving on paper
Oil on linen Collection of Jane Cla
Interior, 2015
66 x 88 in. Francisco Goya (Span
Oil on linen
Courtesy of Kasmin Gallery, New York Nohubo Remedio (The
16 x 16 in.
m different eras Courtesy of the artist The Healers, 2020 From Los Caprichos, c
Oil on linen Etching on paper
e salon-style Foot Soldier, 2016 Collection of Susanna
82 x 120 in.
rom the Los Oil on linen T.L.2011.24.30.23
Courtesy of Kasmin Gallery, New York
dscape prints by 10 x 8 in.
Courtesy of Sperone Westwater, New York Francisco Goya (Span
dr’s Foot Soldier PRINTS El sueno de la razon p
worlds often Treasure, 2016
Cannon Hidden in Roses, 2019 (The Sleep of Reason
Oil on linen From Los Caprichos, c
26 ¾ x 31 ½ in.
66 x 88 in. Etching on paper
Hand-colored aquatint with photogravure, spitbite,
Collection of Joshua Rechnitz, New York Collection of Susanna
as also created drypoint, and burnishing on paper
The Levanter, 2017 Courtesy of the artist T.L.2011.24.30.42
ts will be
Oil on linen Francisco Goya (Span
media channels 24 x 24 in.
Nocturne, 2019
26 ¾ x 31 ½ in. Subir y bajar (To Rise
Private collection From Los Caprichos, c
Hand-colored aquatint with photogravure, spitbite,
Red, 2020 drypoint, and burnishing on paper Etching on paper
th the world, Oil on linen Courtesy of the artist Collection of Susanna
microcosm 48 x 60 in. T.L.2011.24.30.55
erves and Collection Het Noordbrabants Museum, INSTALLATION Francisco Goya (Span
c on the ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) La Lealtad (Loyalty)
Unidentified Artist (Netherlandish, c. 1550–1575)
Only Breath, 2020 The Temptation of St. Anthony, c. 1550–75 From Los Proverbios (
Oil on linen Oil on panel Etching and burnishe
20 x 16 in. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Bequest of Warren H.
Courtesy of Kasmin Gallery, New York Collection Fund, 1938.605WA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 11
DR
American, born in Tehran, Iran, 1976
Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY
orldwide, including After Pieter Brueghel the Elder Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) VIRTUAL GALLER
uffalo, NY; the (Flemish, c. 1525–1569) Disparate Volante (Flying Folly) Ali Banisadr
e Pompidou, Paris; Avaritia (Greed), c. 1558 From Los Proverbios (Proverbs), 1815–23 Friday, October 23
re Garden, Engraving on paper Etching and burnished aquatint on heavy laid paper 5 pm
tan Museum of Art, Bequest of Edward Gorey, 2001.13.31 Bequest of Warren H. Lowenhaupt, 1967.628.
orary Art, Los ONLINE DISCUSS
Persian Utagawa Hiroshige (born Ando Hiroshige)
useum of Art; Ali Banisadr and Robe
Laila and Majnun, page from the Khamsa (Japanese, 1797–1858)
g; and the Friday, November 20
(five poems) of Nizami, 16th century Mountains and Streams in Winter, 1857
nisadr is the subject 5 pm
Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper Color-printed woodcut
ublished by Rizzoli,
Gift of Kirkor Minassian, 1921.440 Gift of Mrs. Jared K. Morse, 1954.50
oincide with his VIRTUAL GALLER
Gallery. Utagawa Hiroshige (born Ando Hiroshige) Max Ernst (German, 1891–1976) Patricia Hickson, Emi
(Japanese, 1797–1858) The Night (Act 2, Scene 4: Balcony Scene) Contemporary Art
New Year’s Eve Foxfires at the Changing Tree, Oji From Romeo and Juliet, nd Thursday, January 14
From the series One Hundred Famous Views Oil on canvas 12 pm
of Edo, nd The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner
Woodblock print Collection Fund, 1933.470 ART BASEL ONLI
Gift of Mrs. Jared K. Morse, 1954.49 Ali Banisadr in Conve
Joseph Cornell (American, 1903–1972)
William Blake (English, 1757–1827) Untitled, nd Available via thewads
w York The Lord answered Job…, nd Mixed media Visit thewadsworth.o
Engraving on paper Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial
Collection of Jane Clark Carey, 1982.80 Foundation, 1996.34.4
Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) Roberto Matta Echauren (called Matta)
w York Nohubo Remedio (There Was No Remedy) (Chilean, 1911–2002)
From Los Caprichos, c. 1799 Untitled (Personage Transparence), c. 1941–42
Etching on paper Graphite and colored crayon on wove paper
Collection of Susannah Shickman, The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner
w York T.L.2011.24.30.23 Collection Fund, 1942.280
Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) Arshile Gorky (American, born Armenia, 1904–1948)
El sueno de la razon produce monstrous Untitled, 1941–43
(The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters) Pencil, ink, and gouache on paper
From Los Caprichos, c. 1799 Anonymous gift, 2005.36.2
togravure, spitbite, Etching on paper
Hans Hofmann (American, born Bavaria, 1880–1966)
per Collection of Susannah Shickman,
Untitled, 1948
T.L.2011.24.30.42
Black ink and colored crayon on wove paper
Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) Gift of Mr. Herrick Jackson, 1976.109
Subir y bajar (To Rise and to Fall)
Charles Burchfield (American, 1893–1967)
togravure, spitbite, From Los Caprichos, c. 1799
Study of Bats in Flight, c. 1954–63
per Etching on paper
Conte crayon on wove paper mounted on cardboard
Collection of Susannah Shickman,
Bequest of Edward Gorey, 2001.13.34 1 Ali Banisadr quoted in Robe
T.L.2011.24.30.55 (London: Blain Southern, 20
Ali Banisadr American, born Iran, 1976 November 2012–November
Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) 2 All specific references to A
Foot Soldier, 2016
sh, c. 1550–1575) La Lealtad (Loyalty) artist in 2019 and 2020.
Oil on linen 3 Hieronymus Bosch (Dutch/
c. 1550–75 From Los Proverbios (Proverbs), 1815–23
Courtesy of Sperone Westwater, New York (1515) in the collection of t
Etching and burnished aquatint on heavy laid paper 4 Pieter Brueghel the Elder (D
Bequest of Warren H. Lowenhaupt, 1967.622 groups of figures.
y Catlin Sumner 5 Jalal al-Din Rumi (Iranian, b
make them human, regardl
6 Banisadr creates such videWA MATRIX 185 Brochure-5.qxp_WA MATRIX 185 Brochure 10/20/20 5:13 PM Page 12
1828) VIRTUAL GALLERY TALK
Ali Banisadr
1815–23 Friday, October 23
on heavy laid paper 5 pm
upt, 1967.628. 600 Main Street
ONLINE DISCUSSION Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Hiroshige)
Ali Banisadr and Robert Hobbs (860) 278-2670
er, 1857 Friday, November 20 thewadsworth.org
5 pm
54.50
VIRTUAL GALLERY TALK
) Patricia Hickson, Emily Hall Tremaine Curator of The MATRIX program is supported by the Wadsworth
ony Scene) Atheneum’s Contemporary Coalition. Sustaining support
Contemporary Art
for the Wadsworth Atheneum is provided by Newman’s Own
Thursday, January 14 Foundation and the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United
12 pm Arts Campaign.
y Catlin Sumner
ART BASEL ONLINE VIEWING ROOM
–1972) Ali Banisadr in Conversation with Patricia Hickson
Available via thewadsworth.org
Visit thewadsworth.org for program Zoom links.
ornell Memorial
d Matta)
ce), c. 1941–42
wove paper
y Catlin Sumner
rmenia, 1904–1948)
er
Bavaria, 1880–1966)
wove paper
6.109
893–1967)
–63
ounted on cardboard
.13.34 1 Ali Banisadr quoted in Robert Hobbs, “Ali Banisadr: Assaying the In-Between,” in Ali Banisadr: One Hundred and Twenty-Five Paintings
(London: Blain Southern, 2015), p. 18. The artist’s quote was drawn from a group of notes sent to Hobbs cited as “Selected Notes:
n, 1976 November 2012–November 2014,” and attributed to an email to Hobbs dated 13 November 2014.
2 All specific references to Ali Banisadr that are not noted have been drawn from a series of conversations between the author and the
artist in 2019 and 2020.
3 Hieronymus Bosch (Dutch/Netherlandish, c. 1450–1516) is best known for the otherworldly triptych panel The Garden of Earthly Delights
r, New York (1515) in the collection of the Museo Prado, Madrid.
4 Pieter Brueghel the Elder (Dutch/Flemish, c. 1525-30–1569) is known for his paintings of peasant scenes and landscapes filled with
groups of figures.
5 Jalal al-Din Rumi (Iranian, born Afghanistan, 1207–1273) was a mystic. Only Breath expresses that all people share the qualities that
make them human, regardless of religion or race.
6 Banisadr creates such video collages on his own and shares through his Instagram stories @simorgh3.You can also read
