Exhibitions

Reza Derakshani - Hunting the Light

26 Jan - 8 Mar 2018 Sophia Contemporary is proud to present ‘Hunting the Light’, the gallery’s second presentation of paintings by the Iranian-American artist Reza Derakshani. Following Sophia’s successful inaugural exhibition of his work in 2016, ‘Hunting the Light’ features twelve new paintings demonstrating Derakshani’s continued quest for a visual language that bridges Iranian artistic traditions with Western contemporary and abstract inclinations. On view from January 26 through March 10, 2018, the exhibition includes new works from three of Derakshani’s ongoing series: ‘Hunting,’ ‘Garden Party,’ and ‘Shirin and Khosrow.’ The new paintings in the series continue in the trademark vivid and expressive style of Derakshani’s earlier works, and are executed in oil on canvas. Read more

Afruz Amighi - Echo's Chamber

24 Nov 2017 - 19 Jan 2018 Sophia Contemporary is pleased to announce Echo’s Chamber, the first solo exhibition of Iranian-American artist Afruz Amighi in the UK. The exhibition – which also marks Amighi’s first solo show with Sophia Contemporary following her successful inclusion in the gallery’s group show ‘Shifting Landscapes’ earlier this year – will feature nine new sculptures made from the artist’s signature combination of steel, chain, and mesh illuminated by light, along with eight drawings. Spurred by the continued struggle for women’s liberation as well as by the current sociopolitical climate in both the USA where she resides and in her native Middle East, Amighi’s new works explore ideas of femininity through a series of female archetypes from history as well as the artist’s personal experience. Echo’s Chamber will open to the public with a talk by the artist from 6-7PM on Thursday, November 23, 2017 followed by a Private View from 7-9PM. The exhibition will remain on view through January 19, 2018. Read more

Shifting Landcapes

28 Apr - 23 Jun 2017 Sophia Contemporary is proud to present Shifting Landscapes, a group show of contemporary American artists exploring abstraction through painting, photography and sculpture. Featuring six artists - Afruz Amighi, Iva Gueorguieva, Herman Mejia, Amir Nikravan, Holton Rower and Hannah Whitaker - the exhibition reflects on the evolving nature of American art. Casting a light on the diversity of contemporary approaches to abstraction, the works explore the artists’ impact on the landscape of art and American culture, across generations and disciplines. Read more

Alfred Basbous: Modernist Pioneer - Selected Works

17 Feb - 22 Apr 2017 Sophia Contemporary Gallery is delighted to present a survey of sculpture by artist Alfred Basbous (1924 – 2006). A major pioneer of Modernist sculpture in the Middle East, Basbous drew on the influence of Jean Arp, Constantin Brâncuși and Henry Moore to create stone and bronze sculptures of often monumental proportions. Read more

Exhibition As Editing Exercise: A project by Nader Koochaki, Winner of MOPCAP 2015

Curated by Mika Savela 11 - 17 Nov 2016 Sophia Contemporary Gallery is pleased to announce that Magic of Persia Foundation Contemporary Art Prize 2015 Winner Nader Koochaki is currently completing his three-month residency at the Delfina Foundation in London as part of his prize. This unique opportunity has been accompanied by a year-long mentorship with curator Mika Savela and will result in a solo exhibition at the Sophia Contemporary Gallery and a publication to be launched at the Delfina Foundation. Read more

Robert Kelly: Black on Bone - Selected Works

28 Sep - 4 Nov 2016 Sophia Contemporary is pleased to announce Black on Bone - Selected Works, the first solo exhibition in London of renowned American abstract artist Robert Kelly (b. 1956) featuring fifteen paintings... Read more