CANVASES THROUGH TIME

Ali Adeli, originally an interior designer, succeeded in living half of his career through his art rather than his primary profession.

In 1985, after settling back in the small town of Fribourg, Switzerland, he began a series of oil paintings inspired by the proximity to nature and the countryside, featuring representations of colorful flowers and still lifes, both realistic and abstract.

This period marked a major turning point in his artistic journey, a true achievement that demonstrated his ability to transcend cultural boundaries. His works from this time reflected a unique vision of art, blending his academic and personal experiences, enriched by everything he had lived up until that point.

"Orchid" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"Sunflowers" - Oil Painting
Private Collection
Los Angeles – USA

"Wild Flowers" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"Yellow Flowers" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

Combining surrealism and still lifes, each piece stands out with its interplay of colors and a unique harmony, capturing attention with its depth and visual richness.

"The Classic Fruit Bowl" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"Red Tulips" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"Yellow Tulips" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"The Heart of a Flower" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"3 Strelitzia" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"The Strelitzia" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"The Apple" - Oil Painting
Private Collection
Los Angeles - USA

"The Pear" - Oil Painting
Private Collection
Los Angeles – USA

"The Champagne Glass" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"The Wild Tree" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"The Soft Flowers" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"The Green Leaf" - Oil Painting
Private Collection
Los Angeles – USA

"The Modern Fruit Bowl" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"3 Pomegranates" - Oil Painting
Private Collection
Los Angeles – USA

"The Plant and the Staircase" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

Armed with his camera, Ali Adeli enjoyed capturing moments of natural beauty during his travels through the Swiss landscapes. Back in his studio, these images served as the foundation for his oil paintings, where he recreated the landscapes with both realism and abstraction.

Later, he sought to go beyond mere reproduction. This "beyond" materialized in the paintings shown above, where each canvas became more than just a representation, but a profound dialogue between the artist and nature.

"Swiss Landscape" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

Ali Adeli possessed an impressive talent, able to adapt to all styles, from the most classical to the most modern.

These two paintings, depicting the famous Fribourg landscape with its stunning view of the iconic cathedral and the old town, are a perfect example of this.

These works not only showcase his technical mastery but also demonstrate his ability to balance both styles and genres, further cementing his status as a multifaceted artist.

"Fribourg Cubism" - Oil Painting
Adeli Family Collection
Fribourg – Switzerland

"Fribourg Classic" - Watercolor
Adeli Family Collection
Bern – Switzerland

THE ACADEMIC PERIOD

During his academic period, Ali Adeli was deeply influenced by immersion in major artistic movements and a rigorous study of classical techniques.

As is customary in art schools, he practiced painting figures in pose, exploring various configurations and studying the human body in intricate detail. This period, marked by strict discipline, allowed him to refine his technical skills while gradually developing a personal vision.

His works from this time, both academic and profoundly creative, laid the solid foundations for his future artistic language, where shapes and colors would become essential tools for his expression.

"The Man in Pose" - Gouache on Paper
Adeli Family Collection
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Man in Pose" - Sketch with markers on paper
Adeli Family Collection
Montreux – Switzerland

"2 Men in Pose" - Sketch with markers on paper
Adeli Family Collection
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Man with the Chair" – Sketch with markers on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Man with His Foot on the Chair" – Sketch with markers on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Sitting Man" – Pencil sketch on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Standing Man" – Pencil sketch on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Man Leaning Against the Chair" – Sketch with markers on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Man Posing No. 2" – Sketch with markers on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Man Sitting" - Sketch with markers on paper
Collection of the Adeli Family
Montreux - Switzerland

"The Man Sitting" - Sketch with pencil on paper
Collection of the Adeli Family
Montreux - Switzerland

Inspired by the great Masters, he managed to reinterpret their techniques while infusing them with his own artistic vision.

Some of his particularly exceptional works reflect this fusion between academic learning and a personal approach, revealing an artist already deeply connected to a profound understanding of shapes and colors.

"The Orange Red Woman" - Oil Painting 1968
Adeli Family Collection
Montreux – Switzerland

FROM ACADEMY TO ABSTRACTION: A NEW DIMENSION OF ART BEFORE THE PROFESSIONAL CAREER

In 1970, after completing his studies in fine arts and decorative arts, Ali Adeli became a teacher at the School of Decorative Arts while dedicating part of his time to painting. He created a small series of abstract paintings, marking a turning point in his artistic journey.

These works, with great subtlety, reveal a very personal style in which shapes and colors break free from representation to express pure emotions.

Before joining the prestigious Ghiai architecture firm, this period of creation allowed him to assert his artistic identity.

"Bottles" - Oil on Paper
Collection of the Adeli Family
Montreux - Switzerland

"Bottles 2" - Oil on Paper
Collection of the Adeli Family
Montreux - Switzerland

"Abstract Landscape" - Oil on Paper
Collection of the Adeli Family
Montreux - Switzerland

1979 - 1980 / THE TRANSITION PERIOD: BETWEEN UNCERTAINTIES AND CREATION

At the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Adeli found himself in a period of uncertainty. The atmosphere was one of doubt, and he had not yet made the decision to leave his country. In this limbo, the desire to paint resurfaced, but without the same intensity as before.

His sketches were lighter, created with a contemplative mindset, as if the creative process followed the rhythm of the events unfolding around him. Despite the uncertainty, his hand continued to draw, reflecting his desire to remain connected to art, even during this transitional phase.

"Sketch of Trees" - Pencil on Paper
Collection of the Adeli Family
Montreux - Switzerland

"The Chairs" - Sketch with markers on paper
Adeli Family Collection
Montreux – Switzerland

"The Colors" – Oil on canvas paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"Lion's Claw" – Watercolor on paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Bern – Switzerland

"Abstract Vision" – Gouache on canvas paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland

"Abstract Vision nbr 2" – Gouache on canvas paper
Collection of the Adeli family
Montreux – Switzerland