Ironic Expression in the Critical Discourse of Iranian Calligraphic Painting (Naqqashikhat): Focusing on the Artworks of Hossein Zenderoudi

Introduction: The interaction between calligraphy and painting has manifested across a wide spectrum of artworks known as Naqqashikhat (calligraphic painting) in contemporary Iran, which can be categorized within various discursive frameworks. One of these frameworks is the critical discourse of Iranian calligraphic painting, developed by a number of modernist artists amid theoretical debates surrounding the tradition/modernity dichotomy. The works produced within this discourse exhibit an ironic and subversive attitude toward traditional calligraphy. A prominent example of the ironic use of script-based motifs in Naqqashikhat can be found in the works of Hossein Zenderoudi. Accordingly, this study aims to deepen the understanding of Iranian calligraphic painting through the analysis of the discursive aspects of Zenderoudi’s works and his critical approach to traditional calligraphy. The central question of this research is: «How does Hossein Zenderoudi employ elements of irony in his calligraphic paintings to articulate a critical expression?»Research Method: This study employs a qualitative approach and utilizes a descriptive-analytical method based on multimodal discourse analysis. Data collection has been conducted through library research (documentary sources) and visual analysis of selected artworks. Twelve of Zenderoudi’s Naqqashikhat works were purposefully sampled, representing his key contributions to this genre between the ۱۹۵۰s and ۱۹۸۰s.Findings: The findings include, first, the conceptualization of an ironic critical discourse within Iranian calligraphic painting, and second, an examination of the ironic elements in Zenderoudi’s works in relation to the socio-cultural contexts that shaped them.Conclusion: The ironic mode of expression in Hossein Zenderoudi’s Naqqashikhat emerges from a critical engagement with traditional calligraphy. His works articulate an ironic, deconstructive, and satirical reflection on the complex relationship between tradition and modernity.

کلیدواژه ها:

irony ، Naqqashikhat (Calligraphic Painting) ، Hossein Zenderoudi ، Critical Discourse ، Traditional Calligraphy ، Saqqakhaneh