Biography

HADI HAZAVEI

My paintings start with spontaneity and mirror the chaotic processes of my own state, occasionally flowing beyond my control and awareness. Sometimes I rescue myself by imposing geometric shapes above the paintings, which brings some order to the chaos below. Occasionally this geometry dominates the composition and overpowers the shifting forms.

Hadi Hazavei (Arak 1941, IR) is known for his highly active career as an artist, scientist, educator, and scholar, extending across many decades, countries, and cultural contexts. His artistic practice has engaged a number of different media and aesthetic traditions, from Persian calligraphy, carpet-weaving, and folk art to the neo-traditionalism of Iran’s Saqqakhaneh school and Euro-American Abstract Expressionism. Hazavei’s creative influences drew from his close ties with leading figures of Iran’s burgeoning art scene, including Nicky Nodjoumi, Abbas Kiarostami, Farshid Mesghali, and numerous others. A dedicated arts educator and scholar, he completed a Ph.D. in Art Education at Columbia University in 1975 before serving as the Head of Art Education at Tehran’s Negarestan Museum between 1977–78. Hazavei has since settled in New York City, where he conducted post-doctoral research in Museum Studies at New York University until 1989. In addition, he has authored numerous books on art and education, exhibited work and organized dozens of exhibitions internationally, and produced murals for towns throughout the United States and in his early home in Aradan.

Education

1989 / Postdoc certificate, Museum Studies, New York University, New York, US.

1975 / Ph.D. in Art Education, Columbia University, New York, US.

1971 / MFA. in Painting, City College of New York, New York, US.

1968 / BFA in Painting, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR.

1960 / BS in Natural Sciences, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR.

Solo Exhibitions

2015 / “Bricks on Bricks with Bricks,” Shirin Art Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2014 / “The Last Strand,” Shirin Art Gallery, NYC, USA.

2010 / Mahe Mehr Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2009 / Mahe Mehr Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2008 / Homa Gallery, Tehran, IR.

1978 / Iran-American Society at the Abraham Lincoln Center, New York, US.

1975 / Columbia University Exhibition Hall, New York, US.

1961 / University of Tehran Museum Hall, Tehran, IR.

Group Exhibitions

2015 / “10th Anniversary”, Shirin Art Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2015 / “Trends & Approaches II,” Shirin Art Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2012 / Middle East Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2011 / Zora Gallery, New York, US.

2008 / Oveissi Gallery, Tehran, IR.

2005 / Calypso Gallery, Stone Harbor, NJ, US.

2004 / Shelburne Gallery, Newry, IE.

2000 / “Symbolic Expression in Iranian Modernist Painting,” Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, IR.

1995 / “Symbolic Expression in Iranian Modernist Painting,” Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, IR.

1967 / Borghese Gallery, Tehran, IR.

1966 / University of Tehran Museum Hall, Tehran, IR.

1965 / Marmar Palace Art Exhibition, Tehran, IR.

1964 / Ghandriz Gallery, Tehran, IR.

1964 / Fourth Tehran Biennial, Tehran, IR.

1963 / Iran Gallery, Tehran, IR.

1963 / University of Tehran Museum Hall, Tehran, IR.

1962 / Third Tehran Biennial, Tehran, IR.

Art Fairs

2016 / Abu Dhabi Fair, AD, UAE.

2015 / Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.

2015 / Context Miami, Miami, USA.

Murals

2006 / Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Atlantic City, NJ, US.

2006 / Restoration of artwork, JCC, Margate, NJ, US.

2005 / Church of St. Nicholas, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

2004 / Sands Casino, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

2004 / Dromore School, Warrenpoint, IE.

2003 / Architectural Exhibition, Las Vegas, US.

2003 / Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

2002 / Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Atlantic City, NJ, US.

2000 / Harrah’s Entertainment Corporation, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

1999 / 10 Panels for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

1988 / 8 Panels for Ocean One, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

1987 / Private Resident, Ventnor, NJ, US.

1986 / Harrah’s Corporation, NJ, US.

1983 / West Gate, Boom Boom Room, Nyack, NY, US.

1975 / Barret’s Mansion, Ocean City, NJ, US.

1974 / Willow Brook Center, Wayne, NJ, US.

1974 / Boba’s Center, Atlantic City, NJ, US.

1973 / Western Union, Newark, NJ, US.

1973 / House of Décor, Ramsey, NJ, US.

1972 / Finley Student Center, City College of New York, New York, US.

1970-1971 / Aradan School, Aradan, IR.

1962-1967 / 15 various murals in private and public spaces, IR.

Publications

The art of Fatimid in Egypt, 2008.

Miraculous Journey of Mohammad (Translation), 1998.

Geometric Concept in Islamic Art (Translation), 1985.

A Short History of Iranian Art, From Cave to Teahouse Painting, 1980.

Art Education Programs for Junior High School reprinted annually between 1986-1992.

Art Education for Fourth Grade reprinted annually between 1985-1994

Art Education for Fifth Grade reprinted annually between 1985-1994

Lectures & Exhibitions Organized

2013 / “A. Petgar Social Realism,” Kamalolmolk Museum, Tehran, IR.

2013 / “Comparison of Armory Fair in New York and Dubai Art Fair,” College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR.

2012 / “E. Ashtiani Artwork, Barg Gallery,” Tehran, IR.

2010 / “Contemporary Art in Egypt,” College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR.

2011 / “Ardeshir Mohasses,” Kensington Central Library, London, UK.

2009 / “Ardeshir Mohasses,” New York University, New York, US.

2009 / “Evaluating Youth and Children’s Artwork,” Linwood, NJ, US.

2004 / “Persian Calligraphy,” Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, IR.

2004 / “Youth Artwork,” Linwood City Hall, NJ, US.

2001 / “Selected Art Work,” Egg Harbor Township Hall, NJ, US.

1997 / “Evaluating the Third Biennale of Painting & Drawing,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, IR.

1995 / “Evaluation of First International Biennale of Graphic Art,” Tehran, IR.

1994 / “Symbolism in Children’s Art Work,” Japan Art Education Convention, Kyoto, JP.

1985 / “Art Education in a Changing Society,” International Art Education Convention, Rio, BS.

1984 / “Art Education in Troublesome Times,” National Art Education Convention, Atlanta, GA, USA

1986 / “Art Program and Revolution,” New Jersey Art Education Association, NJ, US.

1981 / “The Current Art Education in Iran,” International Art Education Convention, Adelaide, AU.

1978 / “The Role of Crafts in Art Education,” Isfahan, IR.

Professional Membership

1975–present / International Society for Education Through Arts (INSEA).

1975–present / Association Internationale des Critiques d’Art (AICA).

Other activities and invention

1989-1990 / Worked at Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC-USA.

1976 / Design | Mini Museum | The First in Asia (Museum for Children) at Negarestan Museum.

1974/ Doing art with no sight | Registered in the library of congress | Num 11721(H)