Untitled Mixed Media On Canvas

Postwar & contemporary mixed media on canvas painting from the The Smell Of Joke series 

Artwork Description

about this mixed media on canvas painting

This painting belongs to The Smell of Joke, a series created by Omid Masoumi in 2009. Using acrylic, ink, and collage, the work blends absurdity with emotion in a vivid, layered surface. Sharp shapes and cartoon-like figures are arranged with surreal logic and graphic precision.

The imagery balances playfulness and unease, inviting viewers to reflect on discomfort beneath the humor. Colors shift between cheerful primaries and shadowy tones, emphasizing duality in mood and meaning. Masoumi uses distortion, repetition, and exaggeration to mirror societal contradictions and personal inner noise.

The title suggests a sensory paradox, a joke you can almost smell, yet cannot explain. This painting explores how humor conceals, distorts, or reveals emotional and cultural tensions. It feels theatrical, like a staged performance of truth hiding behind masks. The work stands as a bold, ironic commentary on human interaction, perception, and lived experience.

View his Dubai collection of available paintings here

about the artist

Omid Masoumi, born in Tehran in 1984, earned a B.A. in Graphic Design from Sooreh University in 2003. His artistic style blends graphic design elements with fine art, creating unique visual narratives.

Masoumi employs mixed media, integrating various materials to enrich his compositions. He has held solo exhibitions at Etemad Gallery in Tehran, including "The Smell of Joke" in 2009 and "Animal Fort" in 2011. His group exhibitions include "Born in Tehran" at Laleh June Galerie in Basel, Switzerland, in 2014.

Omid Masoumi's artworks often appear improvisational, with dynamic color placements and shapes. His paintings evoke a sense of childhood giddiness, yet also draw attention to contemporary environmental issues.

Masoumi's pieces engage viewers emotionally, transcending cultural boundaries with universal appeal. His exhibitions, such as "Scent of Simple Triangle," reflect changes in his environment and lifestyle. His work continues to contribute to the Iranian contemporary art scene.

copyright

This painting is one of a kind original therefore, all copyrights and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.