Statement:

Dastan's Basement announces “Borders of Happening,” a solo exhibition of works by Sadra Mirsharifi, opening on October 13 and continuing through November 3, 2023. This is the artist’s second collaboration with Dastan following the virtual group exhibition “Face, Visage, Look” (May 2020). ///

Sadra Mirsharifi (b. 1996, Tehran) is a Tehran School of Fine Arts graduate. A former member of the Eastern Whistle collective, his work has been featured in several exhibitions in Iran, the UK, and Canada, notably in the Tate Modern Museum’s “What is the Future of Art” Exhibition in 2016. His second solo exhibition, “Borders of Happening,” delves into an idea of duality that the artist considers a hidden feature within the realm of painting. The displayed artworks challenge traditional notions of representation by emphasizing what is not present and denying what is, thus creating a symbolic structure that transcends conventional realism. 

The artist aims to explore the “essence of form as it manifests within a contradictory structure, where opposing elements are fused to create a captivating visual tension.” As such, one of the critical aspects of the exhibition is the artist’s challenge to minimize the gap between their intent and the artworks’ inherent qualities. This exploration of subjectivity results in organic and spontaneous pieces, aiming to reach a profound connection between the artist and the audience.