Farhad Moezzi Gallery Show -- 2023

 

A show of the art of Farhad Moezzi will take place at the College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery from November 6 through December 5 2023.  Reception November 8 2023.

Farhad Moezzi, Artist

In front of his studio, Northgate Industrial Park, San Rafael, California.
( image circa 1972 )

Click on any photo to enlarge for better viewing. 

This format changed somewhat over the years, and it is not showing all the posts in the menu list. I just tried updating the posting times, so hopefully you can see the chronological order of his artistry and life. 

Farhad Moezzi was born in 1920 and passed in 1974. The way I have this blog now as Nov and Oct 2009 in the later part of work and life. 

Introduction

Farhad Moezzi created his art in California from the mid 1950's until his death in 1974. Born in another country, unfamiliar with all the nuances of English, Farhad began to pursue art as a means of communication. Unfettered by "burr" for "bear," his art commented on the observations and aesthetics he beheld.

"In art I found my answer. For here was a language which could speak and encompass all nations, all peoples -- a language that could reach where words could not."

-- quote from Farhad Moezzi

Farhad began creating fine art when he was about 30 years old. His early works included small metal sculpture, jewelry, and ceramics.

Over the course of the next 25 years he experimented with a variety of mediums, but at his stride, he was most happy working with metal to create sculpture, much of it at a large scale. In 1968, he created "the foundry" in his studio for creating cast metal pieces, which often showed up as focal points in his columns.

Farhad was an explorer, artist, teacher, husband, and my Dad. I had only twelve years with him, as he died fairly young. I know him through our time together, through his art, through those who knew him, and through an understanding I gain as the years come in my life.

This website is functioning as "concept creator" for a book* I am working on of his sculpture. A two sentence conversation near the time of his death was had between my Dad and Mom, and I aim to help see that conversation to the desired outcome.

This site is arranged in chronological order for the most part. Farhad would create in various mediums simultaneously, and of course, he would build on his artistic visions with each piece. His techniques were mainly self taught, with his travels serving both as exposure to different cultures, but also putting him in contact with other artists and craftspeople with different backgrounds.

I know my words would fall short in describing the essence of my father. I can give you some facts, some images, and some quotes my mother captured. The main part of communication of Farhad with you shall be his art.




*(I printed the book in 2010....book format has a different feeling than this blog of course,  with book layout perhaps easier to peruse....plus I edited more in the book, still plenty, but not as many pictures as on this blog). 

Biography

"Art is an inseparable part of my life, and most of my waking hours are spent either teaching art or working in my studio, which takes up the better part of the first floor of our home. In one large room is my equipment for sculpture (welding apparatus, power tools, etc.) and jewelry. In the other room are my ceramic kick wheel, electric wheel, and ceramic necessities. Outside my home I have erected a small building to house my large ceramic kiln."

-Farhad Moezzi, from 1964 autobiography in pursuit of fellowship

I first met the art of my father in my home. My cereal bowl, cookie jar, and cup were of clay, created by his hand. The necklaces that my Mom wore were of metal, fashioned by my Dad. I would venture downstairs to his studio, and see the sparks fly from the welding torch, my Dad's eyes bespectacled by his welding glasses. I felt the heat, calmness, and weight of the kiln, and had mock tea parties on the roof of the kiln building when it was not in use. The kick wheel was our merry-go-round when the fair was not in town. Around the house would be a candle holder, vase, or sculpture, all made by Dad. My sisters and I would draw on a table he created for us, specifically so we could sit on the ground by the picture window of our living room. We would go to galleries, show openings and witness "Art in Action" sessions with Dad. Art was all around, and as my father claimed, was an inseparable part of our lives.

Farhad Moezzi was born in Persia on 22 June, 1920. For some time, his birth date was marked at 22 February, the day his ship docked in New York, upon his arrival to the United States in 1948.

He had thus far lived a charmed life. Of the Qajar dynasty, his family lived comfortably in exile in Damghan, about 600 km east of Tehran when Farhad was young. I heard tales of riding his motorcycle in his house, expeditions in the countryside, teasing scorpions, replacing the oil in the street lamps with some more "organic" amber liquid, and the like. My sister related me this story that our uncle told her, about an episode they shared as young boys:

"Firouz and Dad had this plan; they made a noose, laid it on the doorstep (I think) and covered it with dirt and dung and whatever. They decided they were going to get whoever it was that walked by. They peered through a keyhole and decided to do it, even though it was an Imam: and bang, he fell! They hid on the roof for a whole day, because everyone wanted to catch whoever did that to the Imam. Maman was very angry and thought it was really bad, but Papa liked it, since he had little reverence for the politics/religion. It is more fun when Firouz tells it."

--Mithra Moezzi from 1996 email to Kambia

With the means to elite, but the sensibilities to be among, Farhad was curious and explorative.

(Biography continued on below post)

Biography, continued

Click on pictures to enlarge for continuation of biography.

Farhad as little boy

Farhad as young man, Persia