ArtDayMe : The Middle East Raha Gallery Collection, which has been actively involved in cultural events for over two decades with an emphasis on supporting regional art, houses a diverse range of modernist and contemporary masterpieces by Iranian and Arab artists.

The well-known four-panel painting “They Hunt Turquoise, They Hunt Blue, They Hunt the Pink” is one of these pieces. Reza Derakshani, a well-known Iranian artist who has spent many years living abroad, created it.

One of the most renowned contemporary Iranian painters, Derakshani [born 1952], blends modern and traditional Iranian art in his artworks. The esteemed media outlet Artprice has consistently placed him among the 500 most expensive artists in the world. Based on this, he set a record for a Middle Eastern-born artist in 2021, ranking 118th out of all Iranian artists. “They Hunt Turquoise, They Hunt Blue, They Hunt the Pink” is one of his most widely recognized works, and it resides at Raha Gallery.

This artwork is a part of Derakshani's best-known “Hunting” series. Using a combination of oil, enamel, and silver on canvas, the piece was made in 2015 in four panels and sold at Christie's Dubai that same year.

“They Hunt Turquoise, They Hunt Blue, They Hunt Pink” is a famous instance of modern Iranian painting that combines tradition and contemporary elements. This artwork is unique in Derakshani's career and demonstrates his ability to combine contemporary painting approaches with Iranian visual traditions due to its intricate form, composition, and execution technique.

The piece, which merges Iranian traditional motifs with modernism, is both mythologically profound and technically inventive. The work's brilliant colors, figures on horseback and fast movement represent Iranian history and culture in a modern visual narrative.

The blend of tradition and modernity in this work has made it one of the most effective instances of contemporary Iranian art, which illustrates the great worth of current Iranian art at the international level. Derakshani has succeeded in producing a piece that is both deeply ingrained in tradition and wholly contemporary by utilizing cutting-edge methods and taking inspiration from old Iranian art.

His art employs fragmented, frenetic, yet controlled brushstrokes. This sort of brushwork captures the movement and dynamism of the action, and portrays a sense of conflict, and even battle to the viewer.

The semi-abstract, fractured form of the human and horse figures, which straddles the line between abstraction and representation, opens up fresh interpretations of Iranian painting for the observer.

Thin and rich layers of color, as well as free and flowing brushstrokes, show how Iranian calligraphy and calligraphic paintings influenced the artist. Although the piece does not employ writing directly, the curved forms, smooth motion of the lines, and placement of the figures on the background all evoke the rhythm and flow of Iranian calligraphy. This method not only creates movement but also lends a poetic and abstract quality to the artwork.

Additionally, the enamel and silver technique is used to highlight specific areas of the piece, which contributes to its visual dimension and alters the way light reflects off its surface.

Derakshani added depth and richness to the painting by applying foundation techniques and merging various materials.

This process has allowed some portions of the piece to appear to be shining, while other parts have been purposely executed raw and rough to accentuate the sensation of movement and dynamic.

The story of "They Hunt Turquoise, They Hunt Blue, They Hunt the Pink" is dramatic and mythical. Horsemen and soldiers moving and battling resemble hunting or combat scenes in Iranian miniature. The selection of this theme most likely alludes to the visual traditions of Iranian art, including ancient murals or Safavid paintings that depict hunting scenes.

The title of the piece “They Hunt Turquoise, They Hunt Blue, They Hunt the Pink” has a specific meaning. In this context, "Hunt" may be referring to the idea of warriors pursuing foes or animals as well as the metaphorical pursuit of identity, beauty, and purpose. The indicated hues (turquoise, blue, and pink) represent Iran's cultural, spiritual, and natural qualities.

Turquoise is suggestive of mosque tilework and traditional Iranian architecture; blue represents the sky, spirituality, and calm in Iranian culture; and pink represents love, dreams, and creativity.

At the same time, the image's azure turquoise background creates a mystery mood while also conveying a feeling of history and grandeur.

This piece from the “Hunting” series could be interpreted as a metaphor for man's desire for beauty, identity, and the past.

Conceptually, this painting could represent the vibrancy of Iranian history and culture; a culture that evolves and changes despite its ups and downs. Derakshani's work manages to portray Iranian history in a current light.