Jean Michel Basquiat
PARVIZ TANAVOLI
Heech
Bronze
8.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 in / 21.59 x 6.35 x 6.35 cm
Edition of 12
SHIRAZAH HOUSHIARY
Untitled II, 2004
Mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 in / 40 x 40 cm
© Shirazeh Houshiary
Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong
SHIRAZAH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2004
Mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 in / 40 x 40 cm
© Shirazeh Houshiary
Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong
MASSOUD ARABSHAHI
Untitled I, 1984
Mixed media on paper
25 x 19 in / 63.5 x 48.26 cm
MASSOUD ARABSHAHI
Untitled, 1983
Mixed media on paper
25 x 19 in / 63.5 x 48.26 cm
MEHDI QOTBI
Untitled
Lithograph
15 x 30 in / 38.1 x 76.2 cm
MEHDI QOTBI
Untitled
Lithograph
12 x 9 in / 30.5 x 22.9 cm
ETEL ADNAN
Untitled, 1984
Ink on Japanese paper
28 x 20.5 in / 71.1 x 52.1 cm
ASSURBANIPAL BABILLA
Sacred Blue, 1980s
Mixed media on cardboard
45 x 23 in / 114.3 x 58.42 cm
ESRAFIL SHIRCHI
Untitled, 1991
Ink and watercolor on paper
26.3 x 9 in / 66.8 x 22.9 cm
CARLA ACCARDI
Verderosso n. 6," 1964
Casein on canvas
22.81 x 27.5 in / 50 x 70 cm
Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / SIAE, Rome
CARLA ACCARDI
Blu Viola, 1962
Gouache on paper
39.38 in x 27.5 in / 100.1 x 70 cm
© 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / SIAE, Rome
REZA MAFI
Untitled, 1963
Ink on paper
22 x 20 in / 55.9 x 50.8 cm
REZA MAFI
Untitled, 1968
Ink on paper
16 x 21 in / 40.6 x 53.3 cm
REZA MAFI
Untitled, 1974
Ink and oil on canvas
39 x 30 in / 99.06 x 76.2 cm
MARK TOBEY
Calligraphic, 1956
Ink on paper
17.75 x 11.5 in / 45.09 x 29.21 cm
ALFONSO OSSORIO
Seed, 1979
Crayon, ink, watercolor and wax
24 x 18 in / 60.94 x 45.72 cm
MOHAMMED EHSAI
Untitled II, c.1970's
Mixed media on paper
26.25 x 26.75 in / 66.7 x 67.9 cm
Courtesy of Babak and Parisa Afkhami
MOHAMMED EHSAI
Untitled I, 1975
Mixed media on paper
14.75 x 14.75 in / 37.5 x 37.5 cm
Courtesy of Babak and Parisa Afkhami
FARAMARZ PILARAM
Untitled, 1994
Acrylic on paper
19.5 x 28 in / 49.5 x 71.1 cm
HOSSEIN ZENDEROUDI
Untitled (The Mountains of Iran), 1965
Paint and gouache on paper
22 x 29 in / 55.9 x 73.7 cm
HOSSEIN ZENDEROUDI
Untitled, 1972
Oil on canvas
77 x 52 in / 195.5 x 132.1 cm
© 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
LEE KRASNER
Water No. 18, 1969
Gouache on Howell paper
19 x 15 in / 48.25 x 38.1 cm
© 2013 The Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
LEE KRASNER
Seed No. 6, 1969
Gouache on paper
22.25 x 30 in / 56.52 x 76.2 cm
© 2013 The Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
LEE KRASNER
December Twenty-Second, 1980
Oil and lithographic collage on paper
22 x 29.5 in / 55.88 x 74.93 cm
© 2013 The Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
JACKSON POLLOCK
Untitled 6, 1951 (Printed 1964)
Screen print
23 x 29 in / 58.42 x 73.66 cm
JACKSON POLLOCK
Untitled 5, 1951 (Printed 1964)
Screen print
29 x 23 in / 73.66 x 58.42 cm
JACKSON POLLOCK
Untitled 4, 1951 (Printed 1964)
Screen print
29 x 23 in / 73.66 x 58.42 cm
JACKSON POLLOCK
Untitled 3, 1951 (Printed 1964)
Screen print
29 x 23 in / 73.66 x 58.42 cm
JACKSON POLLOCK
Untitled 2, 1951 (Printed 1964)
Screen print
23 x 29 in / 58.42 x 73.66 cm
JACKSON POLLOCK
Untitled 1, 1951 (Printed 1964)
Screen print
23 x 29 in / 58.42 x 73.66 cm
PIERRE SOULAGES
Untitled
Ink on paper
24.5 x 17.5 in / 62.2 x 44.5 cm
BEHJAT SADR
Untitled, 1961
India ink on paper
15 x 18.5 in /38.1 x 47 cm
FRANZ KLINE
Untitled, 1953
Oil on paper mounted on board
11 x 8.5 in / 27.9 x 21.6 cm
Courtesy of Beth Rudin DeWoody, New York
JEAN DUBUFFET
Site Aléatoire, 1982
Acrylic on paper on canvas
26.5 x 39.5 in / 67.3 x 100.3 cm
JEAN DUBUFFET
Site Aléatoire Avec 2 Personnages, 1982
Acrylic on canvas-backed paper
26.5 x 39.5 in / 67.3 x 100.3 cm
CY TWOMBLY
Untitled (Study for "Triumph of Love"), 1961
Colored pencil and graphite on paper
8.5 x 11 in / 21.6 x 27.9 cm
Courtesy of Beth Rudin DeWoody, New York
JEAN-MICHAEL BASQUIAT
Man, 1982
Oil stick on paper
12 x 9 in / 30.5 x 22.9 cm
JEAN-MICHAEL BASQUIAT
Untitled (Swinging Diamonds), 1987
Crayon, pencil, oil stick on paper
30 x 22.5 in / 76.2 x 56.5 cm
FARIDEH LASHAI
Untitled
Acrylic and ink on canvas
35 x 35 in / 88.9 x 88.9 cm
FARHAD MOSHIRI
Untitled (My Heart is Your Love’s Play Toy), 2004
Oil on canvas
57 x 44 in / 144.8 x 111.8 cm
KEITH HARING & LA2
Untitled, 1985
Ink on terracotta
24 x 12 x 10 in / 61 x 30.5 x 25.3 cm
KEITH HARING
Untitled II (Subway Drawing), 1980's
Chalk on paper mounted on board
51 x 34 in / 129.5 x 86.4 cm
Courtesy James Hammond Collection
KEITH HARING
Untitled (Subway Drawing), 1985
Chalk on paper
46 x 60.5 in / 116.8 x 152 cm
LA2
LA's lil' White Violin, 2013
Oil markers and spray paint
LA2
Fire 911, 2013
Mixed media
RAMELLZEE
Decision of Sigma War (4 parts), 1984
Spray collage marker on board
32.125 x 160 in / 81.5 x 406 cm
HASSAN MASSOUDY
Untitled I, 2012
Ink and pigment on paper
29.5 x 21.7 in / 74.9 x 55.1 cm
Image courtesy of Sundaram Tagore Gallery
HASSAN MASSOUDY
Untitled II, 2012
Ink and pigment on paper
29.5 x 21.7 in / 74.9 x 55.1 cm
Image courtesy of Sundaram Tagore Gallery
TEE BEE
Untitled, 1984
Spray paint on board
16.5 x 21.5 in / 41.9 x 54.61 cm
SHIRIN NESHAT
Zahra, 2008
C-print and ink
14 x 11 in / 36 x 27 cm
Unique
SHIRIN NESHAT
Haji, 2008
C-print and ink
14 x 11 in / 36 x 27 cm
Unique
ROSTARR
Diluvium I, 2013
Ink, Acrylic on canvas
47.25 x 47.25 in / 120.02 x 120.02 cm
ROSTARR
Ikonoclysm III, 2012
Sumi ink on handmade paper
30 x 22.5 in / 76.2 x 57.15 cm
ROSTARR
Ikonoclysm II, 2012
Sumi ink on handmade paper
30 x 22.5 in / 76.2 x 57.15 cm
ROSTARR
Vestigia Serpens II (Tracks of the Serpent), 2012
Sumi and watercolor ink on handmade paper
14.75 x 41.5 in / 37.47 x 105.41 cm
ROSTARR
Vestigia Serpens I (Tracks of the Serpent), 2012
Sumi and watercolor ink on handmade paper
14.75 x 41.5 in / 37.47 x 105.41 cm
ROSTARR
Eclipse Mars IV, 2012
Sumi and watercolor ink on handmade paper
29.5 x 29.5in / 74.93 x 74.93cm
ROSTARR
Eclipse Mars I, 2012
Sumi and watercolor ink on handmade paper
29.5 x 29.5in / 74.93 x 74.93cm
ROSTARR
Eclipse Mars II, 2012
Sumi and watercolor ink on handmade paper
29.5 x 29.5 in / 74.93 x 74.93 cm
NIELS "SHOE" MEULMAN
Unreal, 2013
Acrylic and pigments on linen
43 x 55 in / 109.2 x 139.7 cm
NIELS "SHOE" MEULMAN
Justified Sgraffito, 2012
Acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 in / 45.72 x 60.96 cm
NEILS "SHOE" MEULMAN
S Over Justified Sgraffito, 2012
Acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 in / 45.72 x 60.96 cm
NIELS "SHOE" MEULMAN
Justified Shoe (Silver/Black) 2, 2012
Ink on mulberry paper
32 x 44 in / 81.28 x 111.76 cm
NIELS "SHOE" MEULMAN
Unruly (Emerald), 2013
Acrylic and pigment on linen
35 x 51 in / 88.9 x 129.5 cm
ROB WYNNE
Appear!, 2013
Poured & mirrored glass
24 x 46 in / 61 x 116.8 cm
Unique
JULIEN BRETON AND DAVID GALLARD
Last Train, 2011
Calligraphy: Julien "Kaalam" Breton
Photography: David Gallard
23.6 x 35.4 in / 60 x 90 cm
Edition of 5 / Printed on Diasec
JULIEN BRETON AND DAVID GALLARD
Freedom, 2011
Calligraphy: Julien "Kaalam" Breton
Photography: David Gallard
20 x 35.4 in / 50.5 x 90 cm
Edition of 5 / Printed on Diasec
RETNA
Warning Shot, 2011
Spray paint on aluminum
95 fl / 29 m wingspan
64 ft 4 in / 19.63 m nose to tail
Photo Credit: Jason Wawro
Image courtesy of Eric Firestone Gallery
NASSER AL SALEM
God Will Raise Those Who Have Believed And Those Who Were Given Knowledge By Degrees, 2012
Wooden installation
29.5 x 145.7 in / 75 x 370 cm
NASSER AL SALEM
Kull II, 2012
Silkscreen on paper
59 x 59 in / 150 x 150 cm
L'ATLAS
Punition, 2011
Ink and acrylic on wood
63 x 56.7 in / 160 x 144 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Skalitzers Contemporary Art
ZIGI BEN-HAIM
Locked Look, 2013
Alkyd, canvas, and paper on aluminum
35.5 x 48 x 2.25 in / 90.17 x 121.92 x 5.72 cm
HADIEH SHAFIE
Grid 27, 2013
Ink and acrylic on Arches paper
41 x 29.5 in / 104 x 75 cm
POURAN JINCHI
Transparencies (group shot), 2012
Plexiglas and permanent market
AYAD ALKADHI
If Words Could Kill III, 2013
Mixed media on heavy paper
37 x 30 in / 94 x 76.2 cm
AYAD ALKADHI
Hear My Words, 2013
Mixed media on heavy paper
37 x 30 in / 94 x 76.2 cm
NIR HOD
Fame, 2013
Oil on plated translucent pink mirror canvas
16 x 13 in / 40.64 x 33.02 cm
EL SEED
In the desert of language, calligraphy is the shade where I rest, 2013
Acrylic on canvas
74.8 x 51.2 in / 190 x 130 cm
Courtesy Ouahid Berrehouma / itinerrance GALLERY
EL SEED
This is just a phrase in Arabic, 2013
Acrylic on canvas
74.8 x 51.2 in / 190 x 130 cm
Courtesy Ouahid Berrehouma / itinerrance GALLERY
EL SEED
The shape of the city changes faster the heart of a human being, 2013
Acrylic on canvas
74.8 x 51.2 in / 190 x 130 cm
Courtesy Ouahid Berrehouma / itinerrance GALLERY
Ahmed Mater
Illuminations: Midaniyat Al Hijra, 2012
Gold lead, pomegranate tea, dupon chinese ink, xray print on Arches archival paper
60 x 40 in / 152.4 x 101.6 cm(each)
Courtesy of Athr Gallery and the Artist
HOSSEIN ZENDEROUDI
Untitled, 1981
Oil on canvas
51 x 38 in / 129.5 x 96.5 cm
© 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
ZIGI BEN-HAIM
Catch Me If You Can, 2013
Alkyd, canvas, and paper on aluminum
35.5 x 48 x 2.25 in / 90.17 x 121.92 x 5.72 cm
“A calligraphic impulse has been behind some of the greatest works of Modern Art.” -- Jeffrey Deitch
"This show makes connections between pivotal artistic movements across cultures that have informed each other's creative processes. Just as the graffiti movement emerged from the economic and social turmoil of the 1970s in New York, it is now no surprise that some of the most groundbreaking street art is burgeoning all across the Middle East. Calligraphy as an art form is part of a Middle Eastern collective memory and as it continues to evolve, we are now witnessing a kinetic dialogue between these movements that will no doubt leave their mark on history." -- Leila Heller
Leila Heller is pleased to announce Calligraffiti 1984/2013, on view from September 5 – October 5, 2013. Originally curated in 1984 by Jeffrey Deitch (Director, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles) at Leila Heller’s former uptown gallery, Calligraffiti explored a myriad of possible connections shared between the seemingly disparate styles of select mid-century abstract, U.S. graffiti, and calligraphic artists from the Middle East and its diaspora.
By presenting an expanded and updated roster of artists including site-specific installations by emerging and established artists 30 years later, Calligraffiti 1984/2013 re-examines the global impact of street art and calligraphy as converging modes of personal expression, popular culture, and political dissent mutually grounded in arrogating the systems of language. Featuring more than 50 works by artists ranging from Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner; Hans Hartung and Cy Twombly; Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat; and Hossein Zenderoudi and Pouran Jinchi, the exhibition will also include site-specific installations by emerging and established artists. LA2 will be creating an installation in Leila Heller Gallery’s front room visible from 25th street, while Tunisian/French artist eL Seed will be painting a mural in the 11th Avenue windows. An illustrated catalogue with an introductory text by Jeffrey Deitch will accompany the exhibition.
Brief Background
For centuries, calligraphers from the Middle East have visually transcribed verses from the Ayah and concepts surrounding Divine Infinity on public buildings and mosques by presenting the written word as art. In modern times, movements ranging from Dada, Surrealism, Tachism, and Abstract Expressionism have all incorporated elements of writing and language into their abstractions. Most recently, contemporary artists such as Hossein Zenderoudi, Parviz Tanavoli, Hadieh Shafie, and Pouran Jinchi, whose work will be on view, have transformed traditional Arabic script in order to create new abstract shapes and gestural marks, augmented by color, poetry, or rhyme which bridge distinctions between nationalities, generations, and beliefs.
As a means of political and social commentary and through name bombing, graffiti and street art exploded in the 1960s throughout North American cities. During the early 1970s in New York, the arrival of aerosol spray paint solidified graffiti’s impact on the urban landscape with words and tags accompanied by elaborate cartooninspired images seen throughout the city and particularly on subway trains. By the 1980s, elimination efforts by local city councils and transit authorities proved futile as graffiti writers began actively working in London, Berlin, Paris, and beyond. During the early 1980s, the development of a definitive graffiti style by New York artists such as Keith Haring led to its rapid acceptance within the art world via exhibitions at galleries and museums. Closely tied to hip hop’s popularity, graffiti continued its global expansion throughout the 1990s, though more as a commercial phenomenon. From December 2010 onwards, graffiti has swept across North Africa and the Middle East as a highly visible means of political protest, attracting a new wave of interest and reclaiming its importance as an unconventional, revolutionary art form.
Featured Artists:
Carla Accardi
Etel Adnan
Yasmina Alaoui
Ayad Alkadhi
Massoud Arabshahi
L’ATLAS
Assurbanipal Babilla
Ben
Zigi Ben-Haim
Jean-Michael Basquiat
Julien Breton & David Gallard
Jean Degottex
Jean Dubuffet
Mohammed Ehsai
eL Seed
Keith Haring
Keith Haring and LA2
Hans Hartung
Nir Hod
Shirazeh Houshiary
Isidore Isou
Bill Jensen
Pouran Jinchi
Franz Kline
Rachid Koraichi
Lee Krasner
LA2 (Angel Ortiz)
Farideh Lashai
Maurice Lemaitre
Eugene Lemay
Reza Mafi
Hassan Massoudy
Farhad Moshiri
Shirin Neshat
Alfonso Ossorio
Faramarz Pilaram
Leila Pazooki
Jackson Pollock
Mehdi Qotbi
ROSTARR
Hadieh Shafie
Niels “Shoe” Meulman
Ramellzee
Retna
Roland Sabatier
Alain Satie
Behjat Sadr
Nasser Al-Salem
Esrafil Shirchi
Pierre Soulages
Pat Steir
Parviz Tanavoli
Tee Bee
Mark Tobey
Cy Twombly
Rob Wynne
Hossein Zenderoudi
