Liliya Art Gallery is delighted to present Before into Dust We Descend, an exhibition in
four parts, showcasing solo exhibitions of work by four female artists from Iran. These
artists draw upon the rich tapestry of Iranian culture, whilst simultaneously exploring
contemporary concerns related to womanhood, freedom, and truth. Working in the
medium of painting in vastly different ways, each artist grapples with these important
concepts through a distinct lens.
Iran has one of the oldest cultures in the world, with an ancient civilisation dating over
two and a half thousand years. A country with an abundance of religious, philosophic,
and artistic influences over centuries, it is fitting that contemporary art from this region
mirrors these complexities. Each artist brings their lived experience to their practice,
presenting the dualities of tradition and progression, ancient and modern attitudes. The
exhibition takes its title from a translated verse in the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám, the
famous Persian polymath, poet, and astronomer.