German artist Gunther Uecker�s art collection is currently on show at the mausoleum of Hafez in Shiraz in tribute to the celebrated Persian poet (1325-1386).

Concurrent with Shiraz Commemoration Week, the exhibit titled �Tribute to Hafez� features 42 paintings on canvas inspired by 30 Hafez �Ghazals,� a primary medium of expression used by the poet, Mehr News Agency reported.

The ceremony opened with a few words by Uecker, addressing Iranian and foreign guests from the US, India and Germany. He said the intangible impressions flowing through Hafez�s poems have always been sources of inspiration for him.

�Iranian ancient culture and my experience in Iran have been reflected in my artworks. I honored Hafez�s Ghazals with a ceremony of colors, realizing the unspeakable emotions I get from the verses.�

Shiraz deputy mayor, Mohammad-Hassan Asadi, said �Iranians revere Hafez. The enthusiastic public presence proves that Hafez�s poetry has taken strong roots in people�s thoughts and culture, despite over six centuries since his death.�

Hafez is skillful in turning simple concepts into beautiful rhythmic verses. �His poetry and thoughts has broken cultural barriers between the two countries, attracting thinkers and philosophers like Johann Wolfgang Goethe.�

Gunther Uecker, 85, is a sculptor, optical and installation artist. He has participated in many exhibitions, including Documenta 4, Kassel, Germany (1968), the Venice Biennale (1970), and numerous solos, including one at the Kunsthalle Dusseldorf (1983), a retrospective at the Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Munich (1990), and another solo show at the Ulmer Museum, Ulm, Germany (2010).

His works can be found in the collections of major institutions worldwide, among them: the ZERO foundation and Museum Kunst Palast, Dusseldorf; Calderara Foundation Collection, Milan; Courtauld Institute of Art, (London); Honolulu Museum of Art and the Schleswig-Holstein Museums (Germany).
The exhibition will move to �Tar-o Pood� Museum in the city, welcoming visitors until May 31, after which it will be hosted in Germany.

By Financial Tribune