Reza Derakshani: I Paint Your Grace, I Paint Your Pain, I Paint Love

A solo exhibition of paintings by the noted Iranian-American artist. Derakshani has a body of work that spans decades, with examples in major institutional and private collections worldwide; this exhibition presents a selection of never-before-exhibited works from three of his celebrated series – The Hunt / Riders, Day and Night / Fig Leaf, and Migration / Grey Zone – that engage with themes of memory, identity, and transformation.

Drawing inspiration from Persian miniature painting and poetry, The Hunt evokes the grandeur and nostalgia of medieval iconography with the horse a symbol of spiritual and physical freedom. Day and Night / Fig Leaf explores dualities – light and darkness, presence and absence – through expressive brushwork, bold colours, and rich metallic paints. Migration / Grey Zone contemplates displacement and belonging, with the slow-walking turtle as a symbol of endurance and an enduring connection to homeland. Says the gallery: “these works offer a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of Derakshani’s artistic vision, where past and present converge in a thoughtful exploration of form, colour, and narrative”.

To 15 September.

Above: Reza Derakshani, Midnight Hunt (2024)