Painting and sculpture have long been ideal forms for artistic interpretation, lending themselves to experimentation as trends in the art world subside and are later revisited and re-imagined en suite to contemporary interests. In the exhibitions we are looking at this week, Contemporary artists often use these media to blend different visual methodologies or to reveal historical elements that play a vital role in their work. In London, one artist pays tribute to her Iranian heritage through a sculptural piece that combines the artist’s interest in mosaics, her background in commercial design, and most importantly, her deep connection to Iran. In Berlin, Galerie Michael Janssen will be presenting an exhibition of paintings by artists Anders Kjellesvik and Monique van Genderen that explore narratives in intervals of colors through abstraction and figuration.

MONIR FARMANFARMAIAN: HEJLEH will be on view August 15–30 at Rose Issa Projects, 82 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7NW, United Kingdom.

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Hejleh, The Eight, Rose Issa Projects, London, United Kingdom

In her latest exhibition at Rose Issa Projects, Iranian artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (Iranian, b.1924) will be showing a sculptural piece inspired by Iranian lore and commemorative traditions. In Iranian lore, hejleh is an ornate bridal chamber adorned with mirrors and rich textiles that houses a young couple on their first night as husband and wife. Over the centuries, the hejleh came to symbolize the death of a young person. Hejleh, The Eight (2005) is a mixed-media artwork assembled using mosaic mirror tiles, painted glass, and metal, among other decorative materials. It is a modern day hejleh, constructed as a personal tribute to a range of artists, poets, and intellectuals whose work Farmanfarmaian feels has made an invaluable contribution to the cultural history of Iran, and has also influenced her distinguished 50-year career.

Anders Kjellesvik / Monique van Genderen will be on view August 16–September 9 at Galerie Michael Janssen, Potsdamer Str. 63, 10785 Berlin, Germany.

Monique van Genderen, Untitled, Galerie Michael Janssen, Berlin, Germany

Artists Anders Kjellesvik (Norwegian, b.1980) and Monique van Genderen (Canadian, b.1965) will be showing their work side by side in an exhibition of paintings that draw attention to surface tensions and color fields. Kjellesvik’s anonymous figures dissolve into a reverie of greens, blues, and purples that loosely represent the scenic landscapes from the artist’s travels. The color blocks in van Genderen’s paintings call to mind the tendencies of hard-edge painting and Post-Painterly Abstraction. She gives the illusion of form by employing fluidity in contour that allows the picture plane to emerge from the canvas.

Browse openings by city to see where art can be found in your town!

Copenhagen, Denmark
INDEPENDENTS and Shane Bradford: I, LIKE A RECORD
August 16–September 7, 2013
V1 Gallery
Flßsketorvet 69-71, 1711 Copenhagen, Denmark

Koenigswinter, Germany
Stani Jan Borowski: Skulpturen in Glas
August 16–October 14, 2013
CONTINUUM GALLERY
Wintermühlenhof 11, 53639 Koenigswinter, Germany

Seoul, South Korea
Donghee Koo:Extra Stimuli
August 16–September 13, 2013
PKM Gallery
Temporary Exhibition Space, 74-18, 3 Yulgok-ro, Jongno–gu, Seoul, 110-240 Korea

Burlingame, California
Storytellers, August 17–October 4, 2013
Gallerie Citi
1115 Howard Avenue, Burlingame, CA, 94010, USA

Hong Kong, China
Monumental
August 15–September 21, 2013
Art Statements
Unit 6–7, 17/F, Hing Wai Centre, 7 Tin Wan Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, China

Mexico City, Mexico
David Choe: Snowman Monkey BBQ
August 17–November 1, 2013
FIFTY24MX
Museo Universitario del Chopo, Dr. Enrique González Martínez 10, Santa María La Ribera, Cuauhtémoc, 06400 Mexico City, Mexico

Santa Monica, California
PAC Collector’s Show
August 17–August 31, 2013
dnj Gallery
2525 Michigan Avenue, Suite J1, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia
Clifton Mack and Maudie Jerrold
August 15–September 7, 2013
Chalk Horse
8 Lacey Street, Surry Hills, 2010 Australia