At a glance
The exhibition presents chaotic yet rhythmic canvases where mythic figures and crumbling architecture emerge from thick, vibrant layers of oil paint.
Meet the artist
Why go
This show marks a pivot for the artist, introducing his first bronze sculptures and pastels alongside large-scale paintings that bridge ancient Mesopotamian epics with contemporary abstraction.
You'll see
Large-scale oil paintings · Bronze sculpture of Gilgamesh · New pastel works · Mesopotamian and Persian motifs
Pace of visit
The high level of visual detail and narrative complexity in the paintings encourages a slower, more observant pace.
Don't miss
The bronze sculpture of Gilgamesh, which represents the artist’s first foray into three-dimensional myth-making.
Artlovers Tip
To see how Banisadr’s contemporary style responds to historical Symbolism, visit his concurrent intervention at the Musée Gustave Moreau nearby.
Inside the exhibition
Talisman at Thaddaeus Ropac Paris Marais brings together a body of new work by Ali Banisadr in the artist's first solo show in Paris in several years. The exhibition features a range of media, from his signature energetic canvases to his debut in sculpture and pastel, all rooted in the intersection of ancient history and modern visual language.
Banisadr populates his paintings with dense, fluttering marks that suggest movement, ruined cities, and mythological transformations. Visitors will find large-scale works inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh and Persian miniatures, presented alongside a bronze sculpture that translates his fluid painterly style into physical form for the first time.
The presentation highlights Banisadr's dialogue with Symbolism, showcasing how he adapts classical references into contemporary abstraction. By expanding his practice into bronze and pastels, the artist adds new physical and textural dimensions to his exploration of memory, collective history, and cultural identity.
Worth travelling for?
A compelling look at one of contemporary painting's most distinctive voices, perfect for those interested in the bridge between ancient myth and modern abstraction.
Talisman
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