SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- San Francisco artist Hadi Tabatabai opens a solo exhibition entitled Portals at Brian Gross Fine Art on Thursday, November 3rd, with a reception for the artist from 5:30-7:30pm. The works included represent a continuation of Tabatabai’s exploration of the line as a physical space. The artist’s trademark thread paintings, a combination of drawing, painting, and sculpture, investigate perception of space and invite self-reflection. The exhibition is on view through December 23, 2011. Hadi Tabatabai’s “paintings” function as portals into the physical space of the work as well as gateways for self-contemplation. Space for Tabatabai, is defined as “empty space. It’s not this or that.” At first glance, the work appears two dimensional, however upon closer inspection, the sculptural quality of the work is revealed through the play of positive and negative space. Art historian Peter Lodermeyer remarks, “