Masoud Akhavanjam presents two new sculptures in the Giardini Marinaressa alongside 2019 Venice Biennale

Iranian sculptor Masoud Akhavanjam will exhibit two large scale, stainless steel sculptures, as part of the GAA Foundation European Culture Centre PERSONAL STRUCTURES – identities exhibition, during the 2019 Venice Biennale.

The sculptures Dilemma of Man and Metamorphosis will be exhibited publicly in Venice’s waterfront park, Giardini Marinaressa from 5 May to 29 November 2019. Akhavanjam’s industrial yet delicate forms draw on philosophy, contemporary socio-political issues and Persian mythology, so that within each work a didactic tale is contained. Both works contain three visible figures, melded seemingly effortlessly into each other.

Akhavanjam’s sculptures are made entirely from stainless steel, a material he began to use when working for his father’s manufacturing company for household appliances in Iran. While initially using it for more prosaic creations such as sinks and taps, he began to realise its worth for fine art sculpture. Still appearing strong and sturdy, with a weight of up to one ton, the way in which the sculptor coaxes the works means they simultaneously take on a delicate, beautiful and gleaming form.