University Library Gallery
|
University Library Gallery |
“Sculpture on Glass”
Persian designs by Mansoureh Nia
June 21-July 30
The Walsh Library Gallery at Seton Hall University is proud to present Sculpture on Glass, featuring the Persian Designs of artist Mansoureh Nia. Her work, reflecting the art of ancient Persian rug designs painted on glass, will be on display June 21 - July 30, 1999. The opening reception will be in the Walsh Library Gallery on Tuesday, June 22 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Both the exhibit and opening reception are free of charge and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mansoureh Nia, a native of Iran, has devoted her career to the art of her ancestors. She studied the art of Persian rugs at the Teheren Institute of Creative Arts, founded to preserve the integrity of the art of Persian rug design, under the highly skilled Morteza Ahmadi. She follows the ancient techniques of intricate designs, but she brings her work to a whole new artistic level. Unlike the usual Persian expressions of art, her designs are not made into rugs. She follows the same patterns as her ancestors but uses them to make designs on glass, rather than the traditional silk or wool weaving. The process begins by adhering veins made of textured grout to glass. These provide the outlines for the designs. Transparent layers of paint are then applied within the outlines. Nia uses vibrant shades of yellow, red, turquoise, and purple which are the predominant colors in actual Persian rugs. Her designs are often described as lyrical. They follow flowing symmetrical designs of floral arrays and animals. The grouting gives her works dimension and shadow which can not be achieved in the design of a normal rug. The glass gives the translucent colors a shimmering effect. Overall, her works have beautiful symmetrical patterns, enhanced by bright, vibrant colors and attention to intricate details.
Born in Persia to a family of carpet designers, Nia began to study art at the Teheran Institute of Creative Arts (Honarhaye Ziba) at age 19. During her early training she attracted the attention of two prominent teachers: Ostad Tarighat, a legend in carpet design, and Faramaz Peel-Aram, a master of glass painting. The artist's reputation was established almost immediately and, at age 26, she had a very successful exhibition in Teheran. Critics have referred to her work as "A Magic Carpet of Glass." In 1979, she came to the U.S. to study at Mercer University in Atlanta. She continued her studies in New York and in 1985 she received a M.A. degree at City University. In 1992, she returned to Persia for a six month visit. While there, she studied color scheme in glass painting with Morteza Ahrnadi. She has taught painting and has lectured extensively on the distinctive technique of three dimensional drawing on glass as a permanent media.
Nia adopts 16th century Persian designs and motifs in her work. With large sheets of glass as her canvas, she "draws" symmetrical, often floral, designs, using raised grouting that creates shimmering elevated textures. She then fills in the grouted outlines with transparent glass paint in brilliant colors to create uniquely mystical works of art. Each piece takes several months of painstaking work to complete. At present Nia is concentrating exclusively on two major themes: Persian designs and expressionist painting on glass. Her work can be seen by appointment.
EDUCATION
Masters of Art - Hunter College, New York, 1985
Bachelor Degree - Studio Arts, Hunter- College, New York, 1981
Human Figure Sculpturing, Mark Gregorian, New York, New York. 1984
Persian Designs and Motifs, Tehran Institute of Creative Arts, Iran. 1974-78
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Art Teacher, Rye Art Center, Rye, New York, 1998 & 1999
Art Teacher, Recreation Department, Town of Mamaroneck, New York. 1993 & 1994
Art Teacher, Central School, Mamaroneck, New York. 1992-1994
Art and Social Skill Teaching, East Harlem Triangle School, New York, New York. 1983-1992
CERTIFICATION
New York State Teacher Certificate
ART SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
Purple Art Gallery, Art Exhibition, July 1997 - June 1998, New Rochelle, New York.
Rye Art Center Group Show, 1998, Rye, New York.
Mamaroneck Artist Guild, Solo Show, 1997, Larchmont, New York.
Greenwich Art Society, Group Show, 1996, Greenwich, Connecticut.
Art Exhibition at Leonard, Solo Show, March 1987 and March 1991, Great Neck, New York.
Peach Tree Art Gallery, Solo Show, 1983, Atlanta, Georgia.
Art Exhibition, Solo Show, 1977, Teheran's Creative Arts, Teheran, Iran.
Teheran University, Group Show, 1976, Teheran, Iran.
For further information please contact JoAnn Cotz
, Gallery Director, at (973)-275-2033.
Updated: 06/13/02