Shirazeh Houshiary

Shirazeh Houshiary is an Iranian-born British artist, born in 1955 in Shiraz, Iran, and currently based in London. She is best known for her abstract sculptures, paintings, and installations that explore the nature of perception, spirituality, and existence. Her work often reflects a deep interest in Islamic art, Sufi philosophy, and mysticism, yet it transcends cultural boundaries by addressing universal questions of being and the nature of reality. Houshiary’s art is contemplative, inviting viewers to engage in a meditative process as they navigate the subtle layers of meaning within her works. Houshiary moved to London in the early 1970s, where she studied at the Chelsea School of Art, and became part of the 1980s generation of British sculptors. Initially known for her sculptural works, such as Untitled (Tower II) (1994), she crafted forms that appeared both organic and architectural, challenging perceptions of space and material. Over time, she expanded her practice into painting and installation, blending traditional materials with new technologies to create artworks that seem to hover between the visible and the invisible, the physical and the spiritual.A key aspect of Houshiary's work is her use of abstract, often minimalist forms that evoke a sense of timelessness. Her paintings, such as Breath (2003), feature intricate patterns made up of tiny marks or words written in Arabic script, which are nearly imperceptible from a distance. These works invite a closer examination, drawing the viewer into a meditative experience where the boundaries between form and meaning dissolve. In many ways, Houshiary’s practice challenges the viewer to see beyond the material surface of things and to contemplate the ineffable.Her installations further this sense of spiritual inquiry, as seen in Veil (1999), where light, transparency, and shadow are used to create an immersive, almost ethereal experience. Houshiary often speaks about wanting to "stretch" the material world and reveal what lies beyond, using her art as a conduit for exploring concepts of infinity, presence, and absence. In her work, the influence of Islamic geometry and pattern-making, combined with her interest in Western abstraction, results in a unique fusion of cultural and philosophical elements.Shirazeh Houshiary has exhibited extensively in prestigious institutions around the world, including the Tate Modern in London, the Guggenheim in New York, and the Venice Biennale. Her work is held in major public and private collections, and she remains a leading figure in contemporary art. Houshiary’s ongoing exploration of the metaphysical, expressed through her meticulous craftsmanship and profound conceptual depth, continues to inspire and challenge audiences globally.