DUBAI.- For its new show, the XVA welcomes Fereydoon Omidi, who presents his latest works of contemporary Persian calligraphy within the popular DIFC gallery. Omidi previously exhibited in the XVA four years ago, and it is felt that his arresting, large-scale works draw attention from both art connoisseurs and visitors to the DIFC over the summer period.

Running from the 20th June to early September, the exhibition marks the return of Fereydoon since his previous show at the XVA Bastakiya’s venue four years ago. The exhibition represents the artist’s latest series of paintings, namely large scale, oil on canvas calligraphy works.

Through this new body of work, Fereydoon uses Persian calligraphy in a repetitious manner, playing with the spacing and volume of letters, and with such rhythmic motions, ignites the imagination of the audience. The overall objective is not to create meaning, as sometimes there is none. The artist mainly works with oil colour, slipping on layer over layer until the desired illusion is created.

Fereydoon’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. Fereydoon is has built a successful career in the artistic world marked by exhibitions in his native 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.

Established in 2003, XVA is one of the leading galleries in the Middle East specialising in contemporary art from the Arab world and Iran. Its rigorous exhibition programme includes works by emerging, midcareer and established artists who are responding to their local environments in thoughtful and provocative ways. XVA offers art consultancy services, providing expert consultancy and full project management for companies and individual requirements in art.