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A duo show featuring works of Hiva Alizadeh and Sophie Ulrich, Resonances explores themes of identity, narrative, and abstraction while bridging together two distinct artistic practices. Guest curator Luuk Hoogewerf's vision for the exhibition is to unravel the connections that resonate both within the artists and their works.
In Sophie Ullrich’s paintings, her figures are reduced to basic outlines and stylized forms. Her surreal figures, with elongated limbs and missing heads, introduce absurdity and playfulness, echoing the ironic tone of Pop Art. On the other hand, Hiva Alizadeh employs coloured synthetic hair to craft paintings and sculptures that evoke sensations of suspension, vibration, and weightlessness. Inspired by Iran's rich history, diverse religions, and ancient myths, Alizadeh uses hair as a potent symbol of identity, time, and the human experience. Shimmering colour-field abstractions are paired with humorous stylised works, creating a dialogue which examines the intersections of materiality, identity, and storytelling in contemporary art.
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Words from the curator
Luuk Hoogewerf‘Resonances’ invites viewers to explore the interplay between Alizadeh’s tactile, conceptually rich creations and Ullrich’s narrative-driven, abstract compositions.
Resonances seeks to unravel the connections that resonate within both the artists and their works. I first encountered Sophie’s work in December 2018—a small white painting featuring the Egyptian god Horus, symbolized by a falcon, paired with an open tin of ravioli. Two seemingly unrelated motifs, yet their symbolic resonance made me pause and reflect. The first time I saw Hiva’s ‘hairy’ works was in 2020 at Art Rotterdam. From afar, their vibrant compositions appeared as color-field abstractions, but up close, they revealed a shimmering, tactile world of synthetic hair flowing like paint from the walls. Both Sophie and Hiva's practices have resonated with me profoundly over time, and I couldn’t be more pleased to present them together at Enari Gallery in Amsterdam.
As a collector, I always advise collecting artists from our own generation through galleries founded by people from the same generation. When I began my collection, I found that acquiring works by contemporary artists—those who share my generational context—allowed me to connect more deeply with the ideas, trends, and concerns that resonate with our own time.
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Hiva Alizadeh
Iranian, 1989Hiva Alizadeh is an artist who creates a world of visual and emotional contrasts through unique techniques and profound concepts. Utilizing colored synthetic hair, he constructs paintings and sculptures that convey sensations of suspension, vibration, and weightlessness to the audience. These works are inspired by the rich history of Iran, various religions, and ancient myths, where hair serves as a symbol of identity, time, and human experience. Within these pieces, philosophical questions about truth and falsehood intertwine with the exploration and understanding of human identity.
Born in 1989 in Kerman, Iran, Alizadeh now lives and works between London and Tehran. His art is deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient Persian carpet weaving, particularly from his hometown of Kerman. He gives these traditions a contemporary twist, employing materials like synthetic hair to create landscapes that reflect his introspective studies and emotional explorations.
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Hiva Alizadeh and Sophie Ullrich, 17 January - 22 February 2025
