The panels are separate but should be installed as illustrated.
This work is in excellent condition.

"Viva Dubai/Viva Abu Dhabi" (2009) is an exciting and rare mixed-media work by one of the most important young Contemporary Iranian artists working today, Mahmoud Bakhshi. This work incorporates ordinary materials, namely gunny sack cloth and acrylic paint to create a satirical work that makes a clever social commentary on the international flavor, the "ex-Pat" based demographic, immense wealth and lavish lifestyles of many resident of the two major cities of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

What makes Mahmoud Bakhshi's work so brilliant, is the fact that his oeuvre is both incredibly unique and knowingly references important artists and movements, including 'Arte Povera' artists such as Jannis Kounellis in his choice of materials, American Pop artists in his slick striped electric yellow composition and his decision to edition this work, as well as Contemporary artists such as Christopher Wool and Richard Prince in his incorporation of bold, black text whose message is clever, scorching and undeniable. Known for his sculptures, photographs and mixed media works such as this, the artist is one of the true pioneers of his 70's generation not only in the Middle East, but world-wide.

Bakhshi has held elite solo throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, most recently in 2011 "Bah Man", Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac (project space), Paris, France and in 2010 "The Engaged Artist; Influences of Graphics on Sculpture in Middle Ages", Saatchi Gallery (Project Room), London, UK. Notable recent group exhibitions include: 2010. "Last Ride in a Hot Air Balloon", The 4th Auckland Triennial, Auckland, New Zealand, and in 2009 "Untitled (From: Rose Garden)", Khastoo Gallery, Los Angeles, USA, as well as in 2008 "Untitled (Exploring contemporary Iranian film and video art)", Barbican Art Centre, London, UK and in 2007 "Iran.Com, Iranian Art Today", Museum of New Art, Freiburg, Germany.

In 2009 he was the Formal Winner of the prestigious "Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize" (MOCAP) award, Dubai, U.A.E. and in 2002 Second Prize of the 3rd Tehran Sculpture Biennial, Niavaran Artistic Creations Foundation, Tehran, Iran. Mahmoud's formal degrees are coupled his 2010 three month residency at the Delfina Foundation, London, UK; a six month residency in Changdong Art Studio, Seoul, South Korea in 2007 as well as a Research scholarship from the Cite International des Arts, Paris, France in 2002. His work is in the permanent collection of the Tate Modern as well as various private collections, world-wide. The artist lives and works in Tehran, Iran.