Inside Iran
A retrospective of Khosrow Hassanzadeh
The Tropenmuseum presents a review of the oeuvre of Iranian painter Khosrow Hassanzadeh (b. 1963). Hassanzadeh’s work is well known throughout the world, but has never before been shown in the Netherlands. As one of the few Iranian artists that are successful in the West, Hassanzadeh has deliberately chosen to live and work in Iran. His paintings focus on political and social developments in his country, and tie in intimately with his own personal experiences and vision. The Tropenmuseum show features a series of paintings about Hassanzadeh’s period as a frontline soldier during the Iran-Iraq war. These and other works can be seen until January 10th at the Parkzaal.
Khosrow Hassanzadeh ’s work contains many references to Iran’s visual religious culture and the visual imagery of state propaganda. By using a mix of graphic techniques, painting and Photoshop, Hassanzadeh creates a unique visual idiom, almost like pop-art, with which he emphasises his vision. His idiosyncratic and critical analyses have made him little-loved by the Iranian regime.
Terrorist
Five series of works by Hassanzadeh are featured in the Tropenmuseum exhibition. ‘Terrorist’ (2004) is a series that began as a reaction to Bush’s declaration that Iran was part of an the Axis of Evil. By portraying himself and his family as ‘terrorists’ Hassanzadeh challenges the Western perception of the Islamic world. The medium Khosrow uses, screen print on canvas, refers to the religious propaganda of the Iranian regime. By adopting the same medium, while giving it a different content, Hassanzadeh criticises both Islamic and Western forms of propaganda. The series, which the Tropenmuseum has purchased, can be considered a declaration of independence; from the West and from Islamic radicalism.
War’ (1998) a sombre series about the Iran-Iraq war, is diametrically opposed to the government version of events. The latter is characterised by colourful scenes eulogising and honouring martyrs. Heroes and pride are a long way off in Khosrow’s highly personal description of the Iran-Iraq war (1980 and 1988). A war in which he fought on the frontline and around a million people lost their life.
Other series presented in the museum are Prostitutes, Ashura and Pahlavan. The large size and colourful palette of his paintings reflect Khosrow’s vision and experiences relating to subjects and opinions in and about Iran.
Catalogue
A bilingual catalogue accompanies the exhibition (English and Farsi), entitled: ‘‘Tehran Studio Works - The Art of Khosrow Hassanzadeh’ published by Saqi Books, London.
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