An exhibition of Parviz Tanavoli's works is on display at the Grosvenor Gallery in London. This exhibition is dedicated to the screen prints of the artist of the 1970s.
Although known internationally for his sculptural work, Tanavoli produced a series of screenprints in 1974 which he then had woven as carpets using traditional methods.
Tanavoli made the silkscreens first and later turned them into carpets by sending them to different weavers across the country. The transformation of the modernist prints into carpets can be seen as an ongoing investigation into the dichotomy between tradition and modernity.
Parviz Tanavoli is an expert in Iranian carpets and nomadic weavings, and he traveled among the nomads and villagers for many years to get to know Gabbeh. He has been able to introduce Iranian handicrafts to the world through his research works in this field. He transformed modernist prints into carpets, and this can be seen as part of an ongoing research into the dichotomy between tradition and modernity.
Tanavoli's interest in printing was so deep that he was forced to write the book "History of Graphics in Iran". In this book, Tanavoli has collected the work of a group of the best illustrators of printed books, who can be considered as the first Iranian graphic artists. According to Tanavoli, the attention of the first illustrators who used lithography to illustrate books not so long ago has always been neglected in our country. He has tried to acquaint the readers of the book with a period in the history of Iranian art in the field of graphic art and to take a step towards filling our communication gap with the past.
Grosvenor’s exhibit of Tanavoli’s screenprints opened on April 26 and will run until May 8.
Tanavoli is among the four artists and art professionals selected by Asia Society this year to be honored with Asia Arts Game Changer Awards.