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16 february 2024, Flor Linckens

Golnesa Rezanezhad: woven between the present and the past

Weaving the past into the present, EVA STEYNEN GALLERY

EVA STEYNEN GALLERY in Antwerp is presenting a solo exhibition by Golnesa Rezanezhad, that runs until 2 March 2024. Titled ‘Weaving the past into the present,’ it marks her first solo in the gallery and reflects her ongoing artistic research practice. This exhibition delves into the ways in which woman textile weavers in Iran reflect on their womanhood and their agency to express themselves through their designs.

The multidisciplinary practice of the artist and researcher represents a fusion of the present and the past. Her work includes drawings, paintings, photography and textiles and is characterised by her fascination for material culture and craft practices — especially those practiced primarily by women. Through this focus, she seeks to gain insight into their decisions, stories, autonomy, knowledge, technical skills and possessions, also within the context of various social, economic and political transformations in Iran. Rezanezhad's practice is twofold: on one hand, it is focused on her individual work in her studio, and on the other, it is dedicated to collaborative projects with woman textile weavers in Iran.

Golnesa Rezanezhad, untitled, 2024, EVA STEYNEN GALLERY

Oil and oil derivatives are among the most prominent export products of Iran, albeit restricted by international sanctions. Carpets and other textiles, renowned for their exceptional quality, design and craftsmanship, are also considered one of the country’s key export items. Moreover, these embody the essence of Iranian art and heritage, often crafted by the hands of women. Rezanezhad herself hails from a family of female weavers and articulates in her research that weaving is not merely a representation of ancient techniques but is also an inherently contemporary practice, that reflects the lives of its creators. She aims to reshape entrenched misconceptions, paving the way for new perspectives in which weavers are seen not just as laborers but as individuals with agency, who have been a significant cultural, artistic and economic force in their society for centuries.

Golnesa Rezanezhad, untitled, 2024, EVA STEYNEN GALLERY

At the heart of the exhibition in EVA STEYNEN GALLERY is a triptych of looms that mirror the size of a human being, displaying works that are shaped in response to one another. For instance, a figurative piece was created in collaboration with a local Iranian weaver, after which Rezanezhad wove an abstract pattern that forms her interpretation of the Iranian weavers' practice. These abstract forms also refer to figurative motifs used in some villages in Northern Iran. The artist's focus is not so much on analyzing their work; she is primarily interested in the underlying communication that forms the basis of the works and creates visibility for it. The third loom is left blank, representing a space for improvisation and cultural transformation.

In addition, Rezanezhad also presents a series of works on paper. These are marked by a recurring contrast: figures that symbolise care, family, community and nature stand in contrast to a capitalist, oil-based economy that she characterises as ‘masculine’. In the drawings, we observe the faint silhouettes of individuals that appear to vanish behind oil pipelines, disappearing seamlessly into the industrial landscape.

Weaving the past into the present, EVA STEYNEN GALLERY

Rezanezhad was born in 1982 in Iran, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Tehran. She has been living and working in Ghent for several years now, where she completed a Master's degree in Fine Arts and a Master's in Autonomous Design. One year ago, she defended her PhD thesis titled ‘Weaving the past into the present: a collaborative artistic research with and on women rug-weavers in northern Iran’ at KASK, earning her the title of Doctor of Arts.

‘Weaving the past into the present’ by Golnesa Rezanezhad will be on display at EVA STEYNEN GALLERY in Antwerp until 2 March 2024.

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Flor Linckens

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16 february 2024, Flor Linckens

Golnesa Rezanezhad: woven between the present and the past

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