Paintings by composer and conductor Loris Tjeknavorian will go on display for the first time in an exhibition at Tehran’s Shirin Gallery on January 20.

Armenian-born Iranian Tjeknavorian has never painted before, nor has he taken any academic courses, gallery director Shirin Partovi told the Persian service of ISNA.

“I believe his paintings are actually a visual music, echoing emotions on canvas. Tjeknavorian’s drawings are inspired by all the symphonies, operas and other pieces he has composed so far,” she said. “A collection of 22 paintings will go on show, while a series of his compositions released by the Avay-e Barbad Publications will also be available during the exhibit.”

She added that a pocket-sized book containing images of the paintings and notes written by musicians Homayun Khorram, Hushang Zarif, Taha Behbahani and Shahin Farhang will be unveiled on the opening day, Tehran Times reported.

Tjeknavorian has composed the music for Rustam and Sohrab puppet show directed by Behruz Gharibpur. He also received Austria’s gold medal of merit in a ceremony held at the Austrian embassy in Tehran in 2008.