Shirazeh Houshiary

Biography

Shirazeh Houshiary was born in Iran in 1955. Having moved to London in the early 1970’s Houshiary graduated from the Chelsea School of Art in 1979 emerging with a group of artist that included Anish Kapoor and Richard Deacon. In Europe she is well known for her sculptures in which she seeks to investigate spiritual principles and abstract forms. In her first solo exhibition in New York at Lehmann Maupin gallery in 1999 she included paintings that explored her interest in Sufism and the 13th Century mystic poet Jalal al-Din Rumi. The calligraphy was implemented in graphite and repeatedly laced into the luminous surfaces. In her labor-intensive paintings she unites the word and the canvas into a meditative visual experience. Houshiary describes her work as being about presence. “Presence is like light- how can you describe it? Light can be only experienced, it has presence. This work also has a presence and has only to be experienced.” Houshiary has had solo exhibitions at the Musée Rath in Geneva, the Museum of Modern Art Oxford, the Camden Arts Centre in London, SITE Santa Fe, New Mexico, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Museum Villa Stuck in Munich and the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht among others. In 1994 Houshiary was nominated for the Turner Prize. Houshiary currently lives and works in London.
Download PDF

Gallery Exhibitions

Museum Exhibitions

Public Projects

Press

Selected Works

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Fading shadow, 2009
74.8 x 106.3 inches
190 x 270 cm
LM12931
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Fading shadow, 2009 74.8 x 106.3 inches 190 x 270 cm LM12931

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Echo, 2008
blue pencil on white aquacryl
39.37 x 39.37 inches
100 x 100 cm
LM11387
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Echo, 2008 blue pencil on white aquacryl 39.37 x 39.37 inches 100 x 100 cm LM11387

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Ebb, 2008
blue and red pencil on white aquacryl on canvas
39.37 x 39.37 inches
100 x 100 cm
LM11733
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Ebb, 2008 blue and red pencil on white aquacryl on canvas 39.37 x 39.37 inches 100 x 100 cm LM11733

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Turning Shadow, 2008
blue pencil on black and white aquacryl on canvas
39.37 x 39.37 inches
100 x 100 cm
LM11732
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Turning Shadow, 2008 blue pencil on black and white aquacryl on canvas 39.37 x 39.37 inches 100 x 100 cm LM11732

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Shroud, 2007
black acquacryl and white pencil on canvas
49.21 x 19.69 inches
125 x 50 cm
LM11050
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Shroud, 2007 black acquacryl and white pencil on canvas 49.21 x 19.69 inches 125 x 50 cm LM11050

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2007
mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper)
40 x 40 cm
19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed)
49.5 x 49.5 cm
LM10623
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2007 mixed media on paper 15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper) 40 x 40 cm 19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed) 49.5 x 49.5 cm LM10623

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2007
mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper)
40 x 40 cm
19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed)
49.5 x 49.5 cm
LM10621
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2007 mixed media on paper 15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper) 40 x 40 cm 19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed) 49.5 x 49.5 cm LM10621

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2006
mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper)
40 x 40 cm
19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed)
49.5 x 49.5 cm
LM10618
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2006 mixed media on paper 15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper) 40 x 40 cm 19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed) 49.5 x 49.5 cm LM10618

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2006
mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper)
40 x 40 cm
19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed)
49.5 x 49.5 cm
LM10620
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2006 mixed media on paper 15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper) 40 x 40 cm 19.5 x 19.5 inches (framed) 49.5 x 49.5 cm LM10620

Untitled, 2005
mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper)
40 x 40 cm
20.375 x 20.375 inches (framed)
51.8 cm x 51.8 cm
LM7642
Untitled, 2005 mixed media on paper 15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper) 40 x 40 cm 20.375 x 20.375 inches (framed) 51.8 cm x 51.8 cm LM7642

Untitled, 2004
mixed media on paper
15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper)
40 x 40 cm
20.375 x 20.375 inches (framed)
51.8 cm x 51.8 cm
LM7731
Untitled, 2004 mixed media on paper 15.75 x 15.75 inches (paper) 40 x 40 cm 20.375 x 20.375 inches (framed) 51.8 cm x 51.8 cm LM7731

Breath II, 2004
limestone bricks and audio equipment
255.91 x 47.24 x 39.37 inches
650 x 120 x 100 cm
LM7836
Breath II, 2004 limestone bricks and audio equipment 255.91 x 47.24 x 39.37 inches 650 x 120 x 100 cm LM7836

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Bloom, 2005
white acquacryl, blue pencil and black pigment on canvas
74.8 x 74.8 inches
190 x 190 cm
LM11051
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Bloom, 2005 white acquacryl, blue pencil and black pigment on canvas 74.8 x 74.8 inches 190 x 190 cm LM11051

Breath IV, 2003
animation, custom PC with built-in LCD panel & audio equipment
12.375 x 15.25 x 4.375 inches
31.4 x 38.7 x 11.1 cm
Edition of 10
LM7283
Breath IV, 2003 animation, custom PC with built-in LCD panel & audio equipment 12.375 x 15.25 x 4.375 inches 31.4 x 38.7 x 11.1 cm Edition of 10 LM7283

Deep Sleep, 2003
White Aquacryl and graphite on canvas
74.8 x 74.8 inches
190 x 190 cm
LM7031
Deep Sleep, 2003 White Aquacryl and graphite on canvas 74.8 x 74.8 inches 190 x 190 cm LM7031

Murmur, 2003
White and black Aquacryl and white ink on canvas
19.69 x 19.69 inches
50 x 50 cm
LM7037
Murmur, 2003 White and black Aquacryl and white ink on canvas 19.69 x 19.69 inches 50 x 50 cm LM7037

Black light, 1998
black aquacryl with silverpoint and graphite on canvas
74 8/10 x 74 8/10 inches
190 x 190 cm
LM1492
Black light, 1998 black aquacryl with silverpoint and graphite on canvas 74 8/10 x 74 8/10 inches 190 x 190 cm LM1492

Luminous darkness, 1998
white aquacryl with pigment and pencil on canvas
74 8/10 x 74 8/10 inches
190 x 190 cm
LM1487
Luminous darkness, 1998 white aquacryl with pigment and pencil on canvas 74 8/10 x 74 8/10 inches 190 x 190 cm LM1487

White shadow, 1998
white aquacryl with silverpoint and graphite on canvas
74 8/10 x 74 8/10 inches
190 x 190 cm
LM1495
White shadow, 1998 white aquacryl with silverpoint and graphite on canvas 74 8/10 x 74 8/10 inches 190 x 190 cm LM1495

Available Works

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Fading shadow, 2009
blue and red pencil and white aquacryl on canvas and aluminum panel
74.8 x 106.3 inches
190 x 270 cm
signed at the back on the aluminum panel
LM12931

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Fading shadow, 2009 blue and red pencil and white aquacryl on canvas and aluminum panel 74.8 x 106.3 inches 190 x 270 cm signed at the back on the aluminum panel LM12931 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Vesper, 2009
blue pencil and black and white aquacryl on canvas and aluminum panel
106.3 x 74.8 inches
270 x 190 cm
signed at the back on the aluminum panel
LM12930

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Vesper, 2009 blue pencil and black and white aquacryl on canvas and aluminum panel 106.3 x 74.8 inches 270 x 190 cm signed at the back on the aluminum panel LM12930 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2008
blue pencil on black aquacryl on canvas
15.75 x 15.75 inches
40 x 40 cm
LM12062

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2008 blue pencil on black aquacryl on canvas 15.75 x 15.75 inches 40 x 40 cm LM12062 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2008
blue and red pencil on white aquacryl on canvas
15.75 x 15.75 inches
40 x 40 cm
LM12115

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2008 blue and red pencil on white aquacryl on canvas 15.75 x 15.75 inches 40 x 40 cm LM12115 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled, 2008
lilac pencil on white aquacryl on canvas
15.75 x 15.75 inches
40 x 40 cm
LM12165

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled, 2008 lilac pencil on white aquacryl on canvas 15.75 x 15.75 inches 40 x 40 cm LM12165 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Echo, 2003
White Aquacryl and graphite on canvas
27.56 x 27.56 inches
70 x 70 cm
LM7038

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Echo, 2003 White Aquacryl and graphite on canvas 27.56 x 27.56 inches 70 x 70 cm LM7038 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Outside In, 2003
Black Aquacryl, white ink and white pencil on canvas
74.8 x 74.8 inches
190 x 190 cm
LM7127

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Outside In, 2003 Black Aquacryl, white ink and white pencil on canvas 74.8 x 74.8 inches 190 x 190 cm LM7127 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY
Untitled (IV), 2003
mixed media on paper
11.81 x 11.81 inches (paper)
30 x 30 cm
16.5 x 16.375 inches (framed)
41.9 x 41.6 cm
LM7120

To inquire about this work please contact <a href=sales@lehmannmaupin.com" />
SHIRAZEH HOUSHIARY Untitled (IV), 2003 mixed media on paper 11.81 x 11.81 inches (paper) 30 x 30 cm 16.5 x 16.375 inches (framed) 41.9 x 41.6 cm LM7120 To inquire about this work please contact sales@lehmannmaupin.com

This site uses the free Macromedia Flash plug-in extensively. Please download it here