22 - Wednesday, October 11, 1989 - North Shore News Persian culture influences artist’s work it is we who are the source of our own happiness, The mine of our own sorrow, The repository of justice and foundation of iniquity; We who are cast down and ex- alted, perfected 21d defective, At once the rusted mirror and Jamshids all-seeing cup. — Omar Khayyam, 11th Century. PAR! MOTAMEDI believes that life is as precious and fleeting as the world por- trayed in The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. EVELYN JACOB spotlight feature “There are experiences and feelings that are very much beyond the material world,”’ says Motamedi, 43. ‘If you can tune into that way of thinking it’s amaz- ing how much more fulfilling your fife can become. Somehow each blade of grass, each wildflower has a new personality.” The West Vancouver artist got a renewal on life when she turned to the canvas full time. For the previous five years painting had taken a back seat to a career in architecture until Motamedi real- ized how important art had become. “Art has such an important ef- fect on everyone’s life. For me it has a spiritual element. You become more aware of nature, of relationships.”’ It was this zest for life that led OWN THE CRITICALEY- ACCLAIMED &. FFICE- BLOCKBUSTERE > Eee Avalloble on VHS & Satu Videocassette! bad ARMIN TOUCHSTONE oe HOME VIDEO the painter to enter two works last month into the Art Against Racism exhibit at the CPR Roundhouse. One painting, inspired by Khayyam’s poem, shows a giant cup and a rusted mirror. “With the cup the Persian king can see all the world but through a rusted mirror,’ Motamedi ex- plains. “‘Khayyam says good and evil are in each of us.’ A selection of Motamedi’s con- temporary paintings opened last night at the Ferry Building at Ambleside Landing. The show ex- plores the artist's fascination with famous Persian gardens, held sacred in ancient Iranian culture. Greens, pinks and purples, tur- quoise blues, gold leaf, Persian motifs and foliage all combine to bring to life the gardens of the ar- tist’s childhood. THE ART of Pari Motamedi is influenced by Persian themes. NEWS photo Mike Wakelleld Motamedi was born in Tehran and worked there as an architect -until 1984. “Trees and flowers were precious to Persians,’ she says, “it’s like a paradise in the middle of the desert. As a child t remember being in those gardens. A lot of memories come back to me but in a very strange way.” What is striking about her paint- ings is how much they resemble architectural plans — buildings float above green square-shaped blocks which are pushed down by a golden sky —- all on a complete- ly flat surface. Geometry, Motamedi explains, is an important element in Persian art. “The superimposing of sensu- See Motamedi’s Page 26 Available Thursda Oct. 12t Manufacturer's Rebate Come down to help us celberate. Roger Rabbit Day! Sat. Oct. 14th 10am - 2pm *Balloons *Prizes *Photos *Fun Now available for your Nintendo game system. in our Bistro For reservations call 985-4181 ALON HOTEL THE Mian Dr., North Van 2 Sanne Yo SRE os 1 1a ct BRLUM/S the one’... where fashion is affordable!. --- WEST FOURTH AT ALMA -- 733 0603 © 2845 SGUIH GRANVILLE — 737 0246-— | |g 128 LOWER LONSDALE -- 986 1754 ; 7 T anh nn a pot po eG i we tee pod {oo4 i : |