Artist Statement on the Modesty Series

Artist Statement on the "Modesty" Series

The Islamic Erotica series was an exploration of the conflicts between east and west exacerbated by the "War on Terror". The images were seen by many as cautionary tales of negative western influence on Muslim nations.

The work was a parody of the Muslim extremists' worst fears when faced with globalization.
What will happen if the "infidels" take over? Will the secularists "strip" their female population of their cherished honor & integrity?

The paintings morphed cultural traditions that were contradictory but led to the same ultimate result. Over exposure as well as over protection can both be forms of objectification and in turn contribute to the marginalization of women.

"Modesty" considers the parallel universe; the west's great fear: What if the "Terrorists' win? Will there be a revisionist history? Will there be retroactive censorship willed by our new fundamentalist, prudish overlords? Will the "Jihadists" deconstruct the sexual revolution? Will the new Theocracy not rest until all populist images of western "Sex Symbols", past and present, are covered under a veil of "decency"?

Makan Emadi
2/1/2010

"Children Are Our Future No. II"

2009
Oil on Canvas
60"x60" (framed)

Femme Fatale No.8

"Femme Fatale No.8"

2008
Acrylic on Canvas
30"x24"

"Femme Fatale No.7"

2008
Charcoal & acrylic on paper
8'x10'

---

"Sheltering Sky No.5"

2008
Oil on Canvas
30"x24"

---

"Miss Liberty"

2008
Oil on Canvas
48"x36"

"Femme Fatale No. 6"

2008
Charcoal & Ink on Paper
10'x 8'

---

Femme Fatale No. 5

2008
Charcoal & Ink on Paper
10"x 8"

---

About Max Emadi

Iranian-born California Artist Max Emadi

"Max" Makan Emadi emigrated with his family to Southern California from Iran in 1979 at the age of fourteen.

While attending high school he became interested in art courses and took ceramics for four years. Following high school, he studied sculpting with Betty Davenport Ford.

Max's career took him away from art for many years. He received training and worked as a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and found his second passion in the helping field. He pursued his education by completing a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's degree in the same field.

After becoming established in his career as a psychotherapist he decided to revisit the artistic interests of his teenage-years. In the last few years, Max has participated in a number of group shows and been featured in several solo exhibitions. His paintings extend from abstract works to political art, and he also sculpts small ceramic busts.

Max Emadi has painted a wide range of works in oil including abstract paintings, portraits and self-portraits.

He has also painted extensive bodies of work representing political figures (Terrorists and Freedom-Fighters series) and cultural celebrities (Hero Worship series).

His most controversial series comments on "hijab", the Islamic dress code, with two series to date: Calendar Girls and Femme Fatale

Since 2002, Emadi has also produced small ceramic sculptures (Beautiful Monsters series)