Instructions for Use

I’m a tranquilizer.

I’m effective at home.

I work in the office.

I can take exams

on the witness stand.

I mend broken cups with care.

All you have to do is take me,

Let me melt beneath your tongue,

just gulp me

with a glass of water.

I know how to handle misfortune,

how to take bad news.

I can minimize injustice,

or pick the widow’s veil that suits your face.

Let me have your abyss.

I’ll cushion it with sleep.

Part of a Poem by Wislawa Szymborska

Ashkan Abdoli

Born in 1983, Tehran, Iran

Education:

2007  BA in Painting, Elmo Farhang University, Tehran, Iran

Solo Exhibitions:

2012  “Exhale”, Etemad Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2010  “Khatokhalvat”, Nar Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2009  “The Eternal Charm”, Nar Gallery, Tehran, Iran

Group Exhibitions:

2015  “Summer Group Exhbition”, Etemad Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2014  “The Culture of Peace”, Lajehvardi Foundation, Tehran, Iran

2014  “Salvation Gaza”, Niavaran Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2014  “History Game”, Etemad Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2014  “Jungle’, Dastan Basement, Tehran, Iran

2013  “Corrosion”, Shirin Gallery, Tehran

2010  “Open Studio”, Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France

2009  “101”, Canvas Art Gallery, New York, US

2008  “The Second Festival of Contemporary Drawing of Iran”, Imam Ali Museum, Tehran, Iran

2007  “Aspects of Miniature”, Mah e Mehr & Elaheh Galleries, Tehran, Iran

2007  “The First Festival of Contemporary Drawing of Iran”, Imam Ali Museum, Tehran, Iran

2007  “Selected Works of the New Generation”, Homa Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2006  “Chalcography”, Jamshidieh Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran

Other Activities:

2006   Participating in Making a Film on "Handmade Print", Ordered by the Museum of Conntemporary Arts, Tehran, Iran