A new exhibition at the W Gallery on the Strand features work by Iranian artist Paris Tooraji. Gallery owner Wendy Bowker says she was blown away by his work.”You can admire the skill of the graphic talent but essentially for the art. When you know the backstory it seems the contemporary feeling in it straddles the purely graphic, but has an undeniable emotion and hidden depth. My response has only been confirmed by gallery visitors’ response to the work and two pieces sold immediately.”
Paris, a 46-year-old artist living in Middlesbrough, loves the quiet of the night. He lives with his wife, Marigold, and their beloved bunny, Lily. He’s been telling us about his work and his love for Salvador Dali, Jazz music…and seventies tv sitcoms.
I’m fussy about…
Colours! I can spend hours choosing the right colour for a painting. Every colour holds a world of emotions and stories for me. Of course, most of the time, I consult with Marigold and we discuss it together. After all, she’s my artist’s agent, and her opinion matters a great deal to me.
My typical day…
My day starts at 6pm with lighting a cigarette. 6pm is our teatime. My wife, Marigold, and I start our day with a cup of black tea and biscuits while watching reruns of our favourite comedy shows, like Man About the House. I also enjoy watching Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett.
Truth be told, Marigold and I aren’t ones for going out.
At 8pm, it’s time to attend to our little bunny Charlie, we called him Lily. Lily loves to be pampered. He’s like a child to us, and we spoil him rotten!
We currently live in Middlesbrough, a city in England with warm and friendly English people as Marigold said and I agree with her. I was born and raised in Shiraz, which also happens to be the name of a wine, the city of poetry, art and love.
At 9pm, my work in the kitchen begins, to prepare dinner. I’m a very good cook. Marigold loves my cooking, and whenever she’s truly happy with the taste of the food, she tells me “I love you”, and I reply, “I know!”
I’m quite introverted and don’t leave the house unless I have to. I’m also very detail-oriented.
It usually takes until midnight for Marigold to fall asleep. When she does, I return to the living room and make myself a cup of Earl Grey tea with bergamot extract. After drinking my tea, I immediately have to light a cigarette and if I forget, I have to make and drink another tea! I love the silence of the night; listening to the silence of the night is relaxing for me.
I love being in nature, the sound of rain an I also like jazz music.
IEchoes of purple by Paris Tooraji
I’m very…
…perfectionist, especially when I’m painting. All my focus is on my painting and I want it to be perfect.
I believe…
…that by drawing inspiration from shapes and colours, we can create the things we imagine. I enjoy the solidity of strong lines and steep slopes, especially geometric forms.
My wish…
“I wish I could always continue to create art and be able to share my work with others.
A few words from…
Marigold:
Paris has a very calm personality and enjoys the peace of home. His warm and engaging voice was one of the things that made me fall in love with him. He used to play the violin, but now he doesn’t have the patience for it anymore.
Paris doesn’t have a specific routine. He loves the nights and doesn’t like to sleep. He prefers to be awake all the time, but because he gets tired, he eventually sleeps! In other words, whenever he gets tired, he sleeps.
Paris enjoys the silence and tranquillity of the night.
He loves watching reruns of his favourite shows, one of which is “Man About the House”.
He loves drinking black tea.
He enjoys listening to jazz music.
He likes Salvador Dali’s works.
He creates abstract paintings and prefers working with acrylics to oils because it dries faster.
The dream he has in mind is that the night never ends.
His relationship with me, is full of respect and love. He takes such good care of me.
Hidden depths by Paris Toojii continues at W Gallery until January 5.
Image Credits: Paris Tooraji .