Calling All Angles by Zartosht Rahimi  evokes a vibrant and dynamic feeling, combining traditional and contemporary elements. The central figure, an angel with pink skin and bright yellow wings, is depicted in a classical pose, suggesting reverence and spirituality. However, the surrounding environment is filled with a riot of colors and abstract forms, which contrast sharply with the angel's serene demeanor.
 
Flying has long been a symbol of transcending human limitations and reaching a level of enlightenment or power. In works of civilization, “wings” symbolize this mystical aspect of how to overcome the constraints of time and space. With wings, humans could ascend beyond and reach a divine level. The ascension of the holy ones and the descent of angels, whether physical or spiritual, has been enlightening, depicting the kingdom of heaven for the seekers of knowledge. From the revelations of Bayazid and Ruzbihan to the logic of the mystical poems, we find this pattern in Iranian literature.
 
In his recent collection, Zartosht Rahimi has endeavored to re-envision and recall historical winged figures in an undefined, vibrant space. He immerses them in a background saturated with expressionism and graffiti-style colors. Rahimi has reconstructed the angels and depicted them in a carnivalesque of multifaceted color palette, which is both humorous and expressively unsettling. Through these “Grotesque” visuals, new forms of imagery are introduced, where the shapes and colors of brush strokes portray a transcendent existence for the characters, offering fresh perspectives and understandings for the audience.
 
The use of bold, energetic colors like pink, yellow, green, and blue, along with splashes and drips, adds a sense of movement and chaos to the composition. This juxtaposition creates a feeling of tension between the calm, timeless presence of the angel and the lively, almost chaotic background.
 
Overall, the painting conveys a complex emotional landscape, blending a sense of sacredness with modern, expressive energy. The angel's expression and posture suggest contemplation and grace, while the background infuses the scene with vibrancy and unpredictability. This combination can evoke feelings of wonder, introspection, and a sense of the divine intersecting with the contemporary world.
 
Rahimi's artworks often reflect various aspects of his environmental realities. Central to his artistic concerns are the desire for freedom, the exploration of universal dialogue, and the paradoxical elements of politics, culture, and religion.
 
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1989
Born in Isfahan,
2010
Group show, "Global Generation", Freiburg, Germany
2011
Group show, "Of Bullets and Blossoms", Aaran Art Gallery, Tehran
2012
Solo show, "Resurrection of the Dead King", Azad Art Gallery, Tehran
2013
Solo show, "The Hunter Escapes", Azad Art Gallery, Tehran
2014
Solo show, "Biblical Narrative", Azad Art Gallery, Tehran
2014
Group show, "The Medium", Curated by David Eisl, IMONO Gallery, Vienna
2015
Solo show, "Biblical Narratives", Azad Gallery, Tehran
2016
Curation project, "Mr. President (2)", Azad Art Gallery, Tehran
2016
Group show, "Mr. President (2)", Azad Art Gallery, Tehran
2018
Solo painting show, "In The Absence of Ebrahim", Saless Gallery, Tehran