Said Tiraei

The origin of his colours and shapes is undoubtedly his home country Afghanistan, and the stream of his pictoral memories flows through India and Pakistan. That is where the strong roots of Said Tiraeis work are located.

In 1975 Said Tiraei was born in Kabul as a son of a respected and politically active family.
He was only fourteen years old when the threatening circumstances that had been aggrieving the family for a long time became unbearable. After his sister had already been brought to a safe refuge, his mother left home with him. Their escape led to Nepal and in 1990 to Pakistan.
There he was discovered by the art painter and teacher Nassir Amidi who accepts the young Said as a disciple. Said learns how to transform views and feelings into shapes and colours. Pencil-drawings, oils and crayons, colours and perspectives are part of the curriculum. But the primary focus is on grasping the internal and external reality and to reflect and portray it.

In 1991 Said continues his studies in India. A big part of it is the observation and sensation of the indian culture. He learns to perceive and accept inner moods and conflicts and to articulate them artistically, to let the souls messages flow.

Said started drawing when he was only three years of age, he learned from observing and imitating the artists that were friends of his family. During the time of his escape, in the years of external uncertainties, art became his refuge and language.

When he finally arrived in Germany, his unique style formed out of the processed memories and experiences. This led to the first exhibition of Said Tiraeis works in 1994 when he was still only 19 years old.

Nowadays the contrast between the cultures, the countries and the people is still alive within him.

He has refined his techniques, the transitions between the contrasting colours and shapes have smoothened; the contrasts have become deeper but also more peaceful. The roots and strength of the asian way of life and thoughts remains visible – they radiate his works and thereby make them extremely authentic and appealing.

„Said Tiraei is a wanderer between the worlds. His paintings have a very arbitrary and unique style and they refuse the influence of temporary trends.“ (Günter Wallraff)

„Some of Said Tiraeis works look as if he´s let the colours surf over the canvas in waves. This special technique which lets shapes appear to be flowing was developed by Tiraei just recently. As if the long surpressed memories of his homeland would begin to bubble up more forcefully now the flow of his recollections becomes an ever greater influence on his works.“ (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)

Exhibitions ( a selection ):
Albert-Schweitzer-Haus, Sandkrug, 1994
Oldenburgische Landesbank AG, 1995
Nostalga art fair, Oldenburg, 1997
NWZ-Gallery, Wildeshausen, 1998
Gemäldegalerie Fischer, Bremen, 2001
Gallery Zeit-Raum, Oldenburg, 2001
PFL cultural centre, Oldenburg, 2002
city museum Oldenburg, 2002
Altonale Hamburg, 2003
Gallery at the old monastery, Cologne, 2004 (opened by Günter Wallraff)
International Gala Gallery, Magdeburg, 2005
Friedenskirche, Neuss, 2006
Gallery Villa Basse, Leer, 2006
Gallery Altes Posthaus, Ahlhorn, 2006
Gallery Goede, Bremen, 2007
Gallery Art Forum, Oldenburg, 2007
Gallery Inkatt, Bremen, 2007
Afghan embassy, Berlin, 2008
Gallery BBK Oldenburg, 2008
Art Depot, Magdeburg, 2009
Gallery Zeitgeist, Nuremberg, 2010