Silent Myths Open at London’s CAMA Gallery

TEHRAN.(Iranart) - A rtist Ali Nedaei’s exhibit at the Contemporary and Modern Art Gallery (CAMA) in London is titled “Silent Myths,” but the 23 pieces on display are anything but quiet.

Silent Myths, set to run until September 2, is focused on Persian mythology, war and peace and good and evil. The recurrent motif of the painter, who has seen the bloody 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war, is a strong and convincing rejection of violence.

“When we look at human history we see that it is full of wars, victories and failures. In prehistoric times there may have been justification for wars, but today not at all,” Middleeasteye.net quoted Nedaei as saying in his powerful opposition to military hostilities between nations.

Among the 23 large-scale works on display there is “The Battle of Fereydoun and Zahak”, which pits good against evil, inspired by one of the many stories of Shahnameh (Book of Kings), the 11th century long epic poem by the accomplished Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi. The piece, like other presented works has been created with a silver marker on black canvas.

In his Shahnameh, Ferdowsi delves into the mythical and historical reign of 50 Persian kings. Zahak is an evil ruler with two serpents growing on his shoulders that only feed on the brains of young people. Fereydoun, together with a courageous blacksmith named Kaveh, revolts against the tyrannical monarch, degrades and imprisons him in the Alborz Mountains. Fereydoun is known as a symbol of victory, justice, and generosity in Persian mythology.

Nedaei’s work depicts Fereydoun and Zahak as they are about to engage in the famous combat.

Silent Myths is Nadei’s first show in London. As he was absent at the inauguration, CAMA streamed a video of him speaking for the gallery visitors.

Nedaei, 61, has immersed himself in art for over three decades.

source: Financial Tribune