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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Claremont artist Max Emadi reflects on his collection, entitled Islamic Erotica, at the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona. The controversial exhibition will run from April 12 through April 26. |
Claremont artist pushing boundaries
Max Emadi’s surging notoriety does not come without a price. The artist has received upwards of 20 death threats for his controversial paintings, which have garnished more and more attention in recent months.
His latest work, entitled Islamic Erotica, will be on display at the dA Center for the Arts in downtown Pomona throughout the month. An exhibition opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 beginning at 6 p.m. The work will be on display until April 26.
After the first death threat, which came to him via e-mail from India, Mr. Emadi informed the FBI. But with most of the threats sent by e-mail from countries far away, Mr. Emadi is not too concerned.
“People who know me think that this is a really scary thing to do,” Mr. Emadi said. “But living here in America, I have this sense of security and feel more isolated than if I were in Europe or Asia.”
His paintings depict Muslim women in poses and clothing that at times clearly and at times subtly display their sexuality. The work reflects both his perception of a lack of humor in Muslim culture towards ideology and a lack of substance in American rationale for pursuing the war in Iraq.
“It has a strong content that isn’t just beautiful work to show but something that people can really make some opinions on,” said Rolo Castillo, curator at the dA Center. “It will push new buttons that haven’t been pushed before.” (story continues below)
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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Claremont artist Max Emadi’s new exhibition at the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona depicts traditionally clothed Muslim women in poses typically associated with western art. |
Mr. Emadi said his art is not controversial for the sake of controversy. Unlike cartoon strips depicting the Prophet Muhammad that were printed in a Danish newspaper in 2005, leading to massive riots and violence throughout Muslim countries, his work strikes less at the core of what Muslims hold sacred.
“It is a travesty that people get a mark on their head for being disrespectful,” said Mr. Emadi of the cartoon controversy.
A Drug and Alcohol counselor for Los Angeles County, Mr. Emadi recently signed a contract to teach painting at a men’s prison in Chino.
Mr. Emadi and his family emigrated from Iran shortly after the Islam Revolution in 1979. With his parents planning a trip to Iran next week, Mr. Emadi is more than a little concerned for their safety. He is worried that his work has landed him on a blacklist somewhere and their last name might set off some red flags during customs controls.
“My mother tells me, ‘Don’t be so full of yourself,’” he said with a laugh.
But his work continues to attract attention. In addition to growing regional awareness of his work, his website attracts viewers worldwide. Mr. Emadi has recently been profiled in a Russian magazine and featured on a news program in Canada.
A few months back, he was interviewed by Radio Free Europe, which planned to broadcast the segment in Kazakhstan. Fearing a similar reaction to the Danish cartoons in the largely Muslim country, Radio Free Europe decided against broadcasting the segment.
“I was looking forward to the exposure,” Mr. Emadi said. “But if it was going to be viewed negatively by the audience, I didn’t want that either. I think it was the right decision.”
—Tony Krickl
