KIYAVASH DANESH Untitled Paintings (2021-2024)
courtesy and many thanks to Morteza Zahedi and Sarvenaz Farsian of Gallery Outsiderinn
Kiyavash, born in Tehran in 1966, left school after nine classes due to poor academic performance exacerbated by illness. He suffers from OCD, marked by intense obsessions and compulsive behaviors like counting and symmetry-seeking, which alleviate his inner anxieties. Despite treatment efforts over 40 years, including hospitalizations and various therapies such as strong sedatives and electroshock, his condition persists, prompting his nephew to take over his care.
From childhood, Kiyavash found solace in painting, intensifying this pursuit after leaving school. His artworks serve as a coping mechanism, expressing intricate narratives and obscured messages that reflect his deep historical and geographical knowledge. His creative process is intertwined with his OCD, despite medical advice against painting exacerbating his obsessions.
Additionally, Kiyavash has an imaginary companion named “Maziar” who communicates with him, a revelation unknown even to those close to him. His generosity in gifting paintings, despite many being lost over the years, underscores his desire to connect and share his art with others. His fascination with drawing vehicles stems from childhood memories spent with his father, a railway technician, enriching his art with detailed visual insights into trains and other vehicles.
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