Lot 147: AFSHIN PIRHASHEMI (IRANIAN, B. 1974) Untitled signed in Farsi, signed and d

AFSHIN PIRHASHEMI (IRANIAN, B. 1974) Untitled signed in Farsi, signed and dated ‘PIRHASHEMI 16’ (lower right of second panel from right) acrylic on canvas 78 3/4 x 168¿in. (200 x 427cm.) Painted in 2016

PROVENANCE: Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner. Although the present work by Afshin Pirhashemi from 2016 describes a dystopian future against the backdrop of a world consumed by violence, the Tehran-based artist enlists a defant muse to represent our inherent desire for freedom. Worlds collide as the American capital is shown in the distance yet the middle ground and foreground of the painting appear as a shallow body of water where papyrus plants stand tall. No doubt a reference to the concurrent lifting of the oil and fnancial American and international sanctions on Iran in the beginning of that year following the restriction of the Iranian nuclear program, the depiction of the Capitol Hill with the Capitol dome at the centre of this pentaptych, arising through a blinding light, reminds the viewer of the tensed diplomatic relationships between the two nations, thus showing Pirhashemi’s afinity to include a deeply engaged political commentary within his works . A bold female protagonist anchors the scene as Pirhashemi employs his signature approach to realism, which he punctuates with expressionist elements for full efect. Steeped in allegory and historical references, his heroine adopts the traits of a modern-day Joan of Arc as knights and other female cavalry accompany her on the long journey that lies ahead. Whilst the cavaliers seem to be feeing on their way to conquer, they thus escape the dark storm that seems to haunt them.