Collection Al-Khidr

Al-Khidr

Shiva Ahmadi Iranian-American, born 1975
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Al-Khidr
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About the Artwork

Drawing on traditions of Persian and Indian manuscript painting, characterized by multifigure scenes rendered in great detail, Shiva Ahmadi combines intricate patterns with loose washes of watercolor to create a style of her own. With a surface beauty that attracts the eye, her works force viewers to confront disturbing truths that emerge upon closer looking. Here, an enthroned ruler with a blood-streaked face suggests political corruption. Mischievous monkeys and other creatures add to the chaos.

At lower left, a figure with a flaming halo indicating spiritual power sits in a colorful grotto. This is Al-Khidr (“The Green One”), a prophet from Islamic traditions who offers a path toward higher consciousness. The pale green of the painting’s background resonates with him, suggesting an ever-present possibility for wisdom and renewal.

Al-Khidr

2009

Shiva Ahmadi

born 1975

American

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Watercolor, ink, and acrylic on aquaboard

Overall: 40 × 60 × 3 inches (101.6 × 152.4 × 7.6 cm)

Paintings

Contemporary Art after 1950

Museum Purchase, Asian and Islamic Art Forum and gift of Clan Crawford, Jr. by exchange

2010.31

Copyright Not Evaluated

Markings

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Provenance

2010-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

Please note: This section is empty

The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

Suggest Feedback

Published References

Shiva Ahmadi: Reinventing the Poetics of Myth. Exh. cat., Lelia Taghinia-Milani Heller Gallery. New York, 2010, (ill.) [unpaginated].

Ecker, Heather. "Shiva Ahmadi: The Flowers of Evil." Shiva Ahmadi: Apocalyptic Playland. Exh. cat., Leila Heller Gallery. New York, 2013, (ill.) [unpaginated] [object not in exhibition].

Shiva Ahmadi. Exh. cat., Leila Heller Gallery and Skira Editore. New York, 2017, p. 107 (ill.) and p. 119.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Shiva Ahmadi, Al-Khidr, 2009, watercolor, ink, and acrylic on Aquaboard. Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum Purchase, Asian and Islamic Art Forum and gift of Clan Crawford, Jr. by exchange, 2010.31.

Al-Khidr: Main View of Collection Gallery

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