Mehdi Nabavi is a painter, sculptor, and installation artist who has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in art galleries, museums, and art fairs across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Throughout his artistic journey, his works have continually explored a diverse range of materials and techniques, particularly through his innovative use of mirrors.
The artist's exploration of the mirror reveals a profound understanding of its visual and conceptual power. In his hands, the mirror transcends its role as a simple reflective surface, becoming a medium for interaction between the artwork and the viewer. It not only reflects the external world but invites the viewer to become part of the piece, merging the self with the artwork's meaning. This dynamic exchange challenges traditional artistic boundaries, where the artist does not merely depict but integrates the environment into the work.
For Nabavi, the mirror holds a deeper cultural and historical resonance, invoking the intricate beauty of traditional Iranian mirror work in religious and monumental architecture. The fusion of ancient artistic practices with contemporary techniques in his work creates a dialogue between past and present, imbuing each piece with layers of meaning that address the complexities of identity, history, and cultural heritage. This synthesis reflects a deep engagement with the evolving nature of art, where history is not a static reference point but a living, breathing part of the conversation.
In his collections, Nabavi tackles powerful and often conflicting themes—beauty and violence, identity and fame, and the continuity between past and present. These themes do not exist in isolation but are presented as interconnected elements that reflect and respond to one another. The reflective surfaces of his works serve as a metaphor for how culture and identity continuously shift in response to external influences, constantly evolving as they interact with time, context, and the people who engage with them.
The viewer is invited into an ongoing dialogue where the boundaries between the self, the artwork, and the surrounding world are fluid and constantly redefined. This engagement encourages a reconsideration of how we perceive our identities and histories, urging a deeper reflection on how the past and present shape our understanding of the self and society. Through his innovative use of mirrors, Nabavi challenges conventional notions of art, creating a space where reflection and meaning are in perpetual motion.
MEHDI NABAVI 1978
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2024 Geometric Perspective, Sholeh Abghari Art Gallery, Marbella, Spain
2024 Back to the Background, Capital Art London Gallery, London, UK
2022 Arta Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2021 One of us Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2020 Podium Zuidhaege, Assen, Netherlands
2017 Ariana Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2016 Negah Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2014 Naghshe Jahan, Tehran, Iran
2014 Henna Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2014 Aun Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2012 Azad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2010 Mah Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
GROUP EXHIBITIONS IN MUSEUMS:
2019 Rijks Museum, Amsterdam. Netherlands
2017 Salsali private Museum, Dubai, UAE
2015 Kunst Haus Rapperswil Museum, Zurich, Switzerland
2014 Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
1997 Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
GROUP EXHIBITIONS IN ART GALLERIES:
2024 Privet collection of Farah Diba, Fiap Jean Monnet, Paris, France
2024 Capital Art London Gallery, London, UK
2024 Katara Cultural Village, Doha, Qatar
2023 Back to the Future, Gallery Nikolas Flamel, Paris, Prance
2023 The Visible Tragedy, Online on Artsy
2021 Galerie Erga, Montreal, Canada
2020 Martini Plaza, Groningen, Netherlands
2017 Meeting Art Gallery, Atelier Natalia Gromicho, Lisbon, Portugal
2016 Etemad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2015 National Library, Tehran, Iran
2014 Opera Gallery, Dubai, UAE
2014 AB Gallery, Emmenbruke, Switzerland
2014 Shirin Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2014 Gallery Nikolas Flamel, Paris, France
2013 Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran
2011 Azad Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran