For Orkideh Torabi it is not difficult to trace a thread of connection between her paintings and the Chicago Imagists who rose to prominence in the 1960’s and 70’s. Torabi shares the satirical bite, using exaggeration and absurdity to push the scenes depicting oafish men towards ridicule. Risituating the power dynamics of patriarchal society in her native Iran her unabashedly humorous paintings imbue the protagonists with an emasculated and clown-like state of being.

This is Torabi’s first publication and first exploration into the Risograph process. Her hyper-saturated paintings with colorful Persian patterns, lines that never quite remain straight and cartoonish style lends itself to the process and output of Riso.

Ultimately, the publication is a humorous translation of her paintings, mingling old with new, throwing colors palettes upside down and joyfully mixing patterns with precision. Torabi’s mustached angels welcome the viewer into her playful Land of Mustaches with butt cracks, babies and subjects who appear at ease with themselves.

Produced in 2019

8”x10” - 32 pages - French Fold Risograph

Perfect Bound

Edition of 75

Printed on Cougar Smooth Vellum 80T/100C

The Met - Thomas J. Watson Library Special Collections

Illinois State Museum - Permanent Collection