The Spirituality of Words Meets Contemporary Art

Palangi Gallery proudly presents ‘Word in Art’, a solo exhibition by Australian-Iranian artist Farideh Zariv. This exhibition explores the profound relationship between language, spirituality, and visual art, showcasing the timeless beauty of Persian calligraphy fused with contemporary painting.

Through the integration of poetry, script, and abstract forms, Zariv transforms words into aesthetic and spiritual experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on how language shapes memory, culture, and identity. Each piece embodies a dialogue between tradition and modernity, celebrating words not only as tools of communication but as vessels of meaning and emotion.

‘Word in Art’ is a poetic journey into the soul of language, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the spiritual essence of words.

Exhibition Details

Opening Night: 28 August, 6 – 8 PM
Location: 59 Flinders St. Surry Hills

Guest of Honour: Kathrin Longhurst

About the Artist

Farideh Zariv holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Tehran University, a Master’s Degree in Curating and Cultural Leadership from UNSW Art & Design, and a Master’s Degree in Visual Art from the Australian National University (ANU).

With over two decades of experience in gallery management and curation, she has served as the Director of Amin Art Gallery for 20 years, the Director of Middle East Art Gallery for 5 years, and the Director and Curator of Cure 8 Art Gallery in Oman for 4 years. Her expertise spans exhibition curation, cultural programming, and fostering artistic dialogue within international and regional contexts. A practicing artist for over 35 years, she has participated in numerous group exhibitions worldwide and has presented solo exhibitions in major museums, including Iziko Museum (South Africa), Canberra Museum and Art Gallery (Australia), and Bait Al Zubair Museum (Oman).

Words are the foundation of civilisation, shaping science, beliefs, and culture while connecting past, present, and future. Through the emergence of calligraphy, human history found its voice, enabling people to inscribe their narratives, preserve memories, and pass on knowledge.

This series explores the aesthetic and spiritual power of Persian calligraphy within contemporary painting. Words carry a dual essence: they can enlighten and liberate or confine and obscure. In today’s fast-moving world, I believe there is a growing longing for spirituality. My work seeks to revive the sense of wonder and depth found in ancient art and infuse it with contemporary expression.

Using Persian letters and poetry—integral elements of our visual heritage, I layer diverse techniques and materials to create compositions that honour tradition while speaking to modern sensibilities. These works are not only about language as a means of communication but about its ability to inspire reflection, evoke emotion, and connect us to a shared cultural memory.

Artworks