Sharjah24:The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) is exhibiting artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian's "Khayyam Fountain" at Al Hamriya Studios, which previously hosted the artist's most recent retrospective, "Sunset, Sunrise," which was organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Irish Museum of Modern Art in 2019.
The foundation received the piece on a long-term loan, and it is one of Farmanfarmaian's most significant undertakings to date. It was commissioned by the Trinnale Brugge in 2018 and is the last large installation work done by Farmanfarmaian. The work was influenced by the realms of Omar Khayyam, a poet, astronomer, and mathematician known for his work on cubist equations, his role in the development of the Persian calendar, as well as his renowned poetry and quatrains.
Farmanfarmaian placed multifaceted geometric shapes of triangles, pentagons, and hexagons into her fountain in honour of Khayam, forming a rotating tower on a hollow base. The metaphorical shape of the fountain of water as a constant source of life is evoked by the development of varied refractions of light at different times of the day.
Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, stated that. “Exhibiting this work at Al Hamriya Studios is particularly significant because it is the venue of the artist's last retrospective, “ Sunrise Sunset”, commemorating her memory and her inspiring and influential artistic practice, and reflecting Sharjah Art Foundation's commitment to supporting artists in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf. "
"This work is centered on Hamriyah Studios' exhibition space, making it available year-round to local audiences, visitors, and participants in the Foundation's exhibitions and programmes, and we hope that it will become a stable long-term exhibit for people to enjoy," she continued.
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