Persian calligraphy by Fereydoon Omidi at The XVA

Mariam Nihal
Saudi Gazette  

Fereydoon Omidi owns the niche in contemporary Persian calligraphy and will be presenting his contemporary works at “The XVA” within the popular DIFC gallery.

Established in 2003, XVA is one of the leading galleries in the Middle East specializing in contemporary art from the Arab world and Iran. 

Omidi previously exhibited in the XVA four years ago, and is back for more.

His large-scale work draws attention from both art connoisseurs and visitors and during the summer period at the DIFC. Running from the June 20 to early September, the exhibition marks the return of Omidi since his last show at the XVA Bastakiya’s venue four years ago. The exhibition represents the artist’s latest series of paintings, namely large scale and oil on canvas calligraphy works.

Through this new body of work, Omidi uses Persian calligraphy in a repetitious manner, playing with the spacing and volume of letters with such rhythmic motions that it ignites the imagination of the audience. The artist mainly works with oil colors, slipping on layer over layer until the desired illusion is created.

Omidi’s fascination with calligraphy started when he learnt the ancient script in high school, although it was not until 2007 that he incorporated this technique into his artistic practice, using Farsi letters.

Omidi has built a successful career in the artistic world marked by exhibitions in his native city Tehran and a number of group exhibitions abroad including Japan, Venice and Paris. He presently lives and works in Tehran and teaches at Azad University.