For several years, the works of Iranian artists abroad have been of interest to interested parties, and apart from international auctions, in which works by several prominent Iranian artists are usually offered, young and lesser-known artists are also introduced in various forms in other countries.
Sometimes private galleries display the works of their artists by attending art galleries, and in other cases, artists exhibit their works individually or through Iranian and foreign curators in solo or group exhibitions.
In 1400, despite the continuation of coronary heart disease and the resulting restrictions, art events were held in physical or online form, and a large number of Iranian artists presented their work in various galleries or events.
In the continuation of this report, we have an overview of some examples of the presence of Iranian art abroad.
Sotheby's London
Bahman Mohasses' "Minotaur" set a record in Sotheby's London. In April, a work by Bahman Mohasses was presented for the first time at the Sotheby's Modern and Contemporary Art Auction. $4 million hammered.The artist's work has already been successfully auctioned in the Middle East.
Art Dubai 2021
The Iranian galleries Khak, Saradipur and Dastan’s Basement participated in Art Dubai 2021.Dastan’s Basement have offered works by Yousha Bashir, Iman Rad, Mamali Shafahi, Taba Fajrak, Shokoofeh Khoramroodi, and Farokh Mahdavi.Narges Hashemi, Masoud Akhavan Jam, Mojtaba Ramzi, Mandana Moghadam, kourosh shishegaran, Golnaz Fathi, and Narges Hashemi are among other Iranian artists whose works have been selected to be showcased at the exhibit. Dastan2 Gallery have been put on view with works by Fereydoun Ave, Andisheh Avini, Reza Derakhshani, Bita Fayazi and Shizaru Studio. Saradipour Gallery also dedicatd its booth to an artist and displays works by Muslim Khezri.
Leila Heller Gallery, Dubai
Leila Heller Gallery showcased “Mirror” by Aref Motazeri. In this collection, titled “Mirror”, the looking glass as an apparatus of representation is revisited to become a represented object Itself. The challenge is to give form to this amorphous concept. What is always used as a reflective surface to mediate between the I & the non-Is’ in a Lacanian sense, becomes an autonomous thing in itself to be reflected upon.
Atchom Gallery, Sweden
Works by Iranian artist Hamed Sahihi displayed in the exhibition “Slowness" at Atchom Gallery, Sweden. The main concern of the "slowness" series is time. Although none of the works refer to time directly, they are concerned with the way we perceive time.
World Press Photo Awards
The photo series “Thoughts of Flight” by Fereshteh Eslahi received third prize in the 2021 sports stories category, while Newsha Tavakolian’s single photo “Ceremony to Mourn Qasem Soleimani in Tehran” won third prize in the General News section.
Sovereign Asian Art Prize
Iranian artist Mamali Shafahi has been announced as one of the finalists for 2021 Sovereign Asian Art Prize. Held annually, The Prize is now recognised as the most established and prestigious annual art award in Asia-Pacific.
Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
Parviz Tanavoli honored in Asia Arts Game Changer Awards. Asia Arts Game Changer Awards held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. The Asia Arts Game Changer Awards is a signature event honoring the Asia Arts Game Changers. Every year, major art collectors, artists, gallerists, dignitaries from the art world, and Asia Society trustees and patrons gather to celebrate contemporary art in Asia and honor artists and arts professionals for their significant contributions to contemporary art.
Lodge Gallery, USA
A group exhibition by Iranian and Iranian-American artists, Afsoon Amirian, Armin Amirian, Naser Azizi, Kamran Diba, Hossein Edalatkhah, Renée Fox, Amir Habibabadi, Alborz Kazemi, Hamed Khosravi, Farshido Larimian, Negin Mahzoun, Omid Majidinejad, Ardeshir Mohasses, Mani Mazinani, Sanaz Mazinani, Nazanin Parviz, Reza Rostampisheh, Bahar Sabzevari, Semco Salehi, Kamran Sharif, Javid Tafazoli, Rojin Shafiei, and Tooraj Khameneh Zadeh, opened its doors to visitors at the Lodge Gallery until May 22. Narges Hamzianpour is the curator of the exhibit entitled “My Very Favourite Things”.
Memorial Maria Luisa Photo, Spain
Iranian photographer from the city of Ardebil, Reza Isapour, received an honorary diploma from 31th Maria Luisa Memorial international. The awards for the 2021 edition of the María Luisa Memorial, due to the special health circumstances happening at that time, were announced at the gala held online.
Empty Circle Space Gallery, USA
An art exhibition by Shahram Entekhabi and Ghazaleh Seidabadi held at Empty Circle Space Gallery in Brooklyn. The exhibit entitled “Instigator ”. This exhibition showcased the history and culture of the Middle East and applies various mediums that all together give a clearer picture of the collection.
Grosvenor Gallery,England
An exhibition of Parviz Tanavoli's works displayed at the Grosvenor Gallery in London. This exhibition dedicated to the screen prints of the artist of the 1970s.
Drawing Room Madrid Fair, Spain
A selection of works by Ashkan Sanei showcased in the international online Drawing Room Madrid Fair. 19 galleries from 11 countries participated in the International Online Drawing Room Madrid Fair. The galleries show for the occasion an individual exhibition of one of their artist: Ashkan Sanei (O Gallery, Tehran), Jon Burgerman (Granada Gallery, Buenos Aires), Alexandru Rădvan (Anaid Art Gallery, Berlin), Valentin van der Meulen (Un-Spaced Gallery, Paris), ... .
Menart Fair, France
Menart Fair is the first international modern and contemporary art fair in Europe, dedicated to artists from the Middle East & North Africa, selected by must-see galleries. 22 galleries from different countries of the world presented in this event, among which Shirin Gallery was the only representative of Iran. This gallery with the works of 6 Iranian artists presented at the Menart fair and exhibited works by Kourosh Shishegaran, Shahriar Ahmadi, Sepehr Bakhtiari, Hamid Ajami, Katayoon Roohi, and Hanieh Tabatabaei.
Cromwell Place, England
The Ab-Anbar Gallery had selected the artworks by Sonia Balassanian, Majid Fathizadeh, Mohsen Vaziri Moghaddam, and Timo Nasseri for the exhibition. The exhibition is part of the Middle Eastern focus week at the Cromwell Place held in association with Abu Dhabi art fair and was timed to coincide with ‘Epic Iran’ at the V&A which also featured the work of Timo and 3 other artists from the gallery programme.
Bonhams Auction, England
Bonhams London Auction of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art was held on June 2 in London, New Bond Street, with works from Iranian artists. Out of the 21 Iranian works presented, 15 were sold for €443,098. Works by Ardeshir Mohasses, Hossein Zenderoudi , Manouchehr Yekta, Hossein Kazemi, Mohsen Vaziri Moghaddam, Parviz Tanavoli, Sedaghat Jabbari, Sadegh Tabriz, Massoud Arabshahi, Behjat Sadr, and Sirak Melkonian went under the hammer.
Brussels Art Week
Works by 11 Iranian artists were exhibited at Brussels Art Week. Mohsen Gallery from Iran participated in the online part of this event by showing works by five artists; Amir Hossein Zanjani, Behrang Samadzadegan, Zahra Ghiyasi, Seyed Mohammad Masavat and Samira Hedayi works have been exhibited in Brussels Art. Brussels Art Week 2021 held in two sections online and in person in Belgium.
“Epic Iran” Exhibition at Victoria and Albert Museum, England
LONDON - One of the world’s largest art museums has launched what it has dubbed the “Epic Iran” exhibition featuring a variety of art works ranging from sculpture, ceramics, and carpets, to textiles, photography, and film dating back 5000 years according to its official website.
The exhibition was opened to visitors until 12th September 2021. The ten sections in the exhibition feature the remarkable Iranian culture starting with a show of Iran’s landscapes in the “Land of Iran” section, then displaying decorative objects in a portrayal of Iran’s significant civilization before the Persian Empire in the Exhibition’s “Emerging Iran” section.
Socle du Monde Biennale 2021, Denmark
Works by Mahsa Karimizadeh were on display at Socle du Monde Biennale 2021, Denmark. While Mahsa Karimizadeh works with an extremely diverse range of media and materials, she retains a distinctive style and aesthetic that always makes her works recognisably hers. Karimizadeh’s style is simple and often involves the use of dots, simple shapes, and simple lines. Her works may seem unfinished, yet at the same time give the impression of having been crafted to absolute perfection, creating a very interesting interplay of disparate traits.
Sharjah Art Foundation,Dubai
The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) exhibited artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian's "Khayyam Fountain" at Al Hamriya Studios. The glass sculpture was commissioned by Belgium’s Bruges Triennial 2018, which loaned it to the foundation for a long-term exhibition at Hamriyah Studios where Farmanfarmaian’s final retrospective was presented in 2019, the foundation has announced.
Kolasin 2021 caricature Festival, Montenegro
The 6th Kolasin 2021 caricature Festival was held in Montenegro, and Iranian cartoonists Hamid Sufi and Saman Torabi won the special prize of this event. 405 artists participated in this event, and finally 84 people reached the final stage of the sixth international Kolasin cartoon competition. 16 Iranian cartoonists were presented their works in this competition.
Yavuz Gallery, Australia
Yavuz Gallery Sydney presented "Seemingly Playful", a group exhibition featured four Iranian artists that have never previously exhibited in Australia: Mehdi Ghadyanloo, Farrokh Mahdavi, Asal Peirovi and Hoda Zarbaf.
Galerie im Saalba, Germany
Works by Samira Hodaei displayed at the Galerie im Saalba. The exhibition titled “Textile as the Language of Resilience” ran through October 3 at Galerie im Saalba, Germany. Daniela Nadwornicek was the curator of the exhibition.
West Yorkshire Printing Workshop, England
Works by athlete and artist Mohammad Berangi were exhibited at the West Yorkshire Printing Workshop (WYPW). The works of this collection, like the previous works of this artist, show his interest in using Iranian stories and literature and combining them with various visual elements. In his chapter, he created characters that are formed from a combination of human and animal characteristics and are strange and different creatures.
Hamdan International Photography Award, Dubai
Iranian photographer Omid Heidarifar has won the People’s Choice Award at the HIPA Instagram Photo Contest. The contest was organized by the Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) on the theme of faith during May.
Armory Show 2021, United States of America
Two Iranian galleries, Dastan and Saradipour Art Gallery, were showcasing artworks at the Presents Section of The Armory Show 2021 in New York City. Dastan Gallery and Saradipour Art Gallery featured the works by Meqdad Lorpour and Moslem Khezri, respectively.
Asia Society Museum, USA
Asia Society Museum hosted Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians—The Mohammed Afkhami Collection, an exhibition of works by more than 20 Iranian-born artists and one German-born artist, from September 10, 2021 to May 8, 2022.
Artists in the exhibition include Shiva Ahmadi, Morteza Ahmadvand, Parviz Tanavoli, Shirin Aliabadi, Afruz Amighi, Nazgol Ansarinia, Mahmoud Bakhshi, Ali Banisadr, Parastou Forouhar, Rokni Haerizadeh, Khosrow Hassanzadeh, Shirazeh Houshiary, Y.Z. Kami,Timo Nasseri, Shirin Neshat, and Parviz Tanavoli.
Cromwell Place, England
An exhibition of works by Avish Khebrehzadeh represented at Cromwell Place,London.The exhibit “Can One Narrate Time?” continued until September19.
Art Week of Basel, Switzerland
From 20 – 26 September 2021, 81 galleries from 33 countries presented the latest voices in contemporary art at art week of Basel. O Gallery from Iran participated in the paper positions part of this event by showing works by two artists; Ashkan Saniei and Maryam Mohri works exhibited in Basel Art Week. Mohsen Gallery with works of Majid Biglari, Zahra Ghyasi, Samira Hodaie and Bavan Gallery displayed works by Elham Etemadi, Keiman Mahabadi, Payam Qelichy. Saradipour Art Gallery exhibited works by Mahdieh Abolhasan, and Abbas Nasle Shamloo.
High Line Nine Gallery, United States of America
An exhibition of Farsad Labbauf's works displayed at the High Line Nine Gallery in New York. The exhibition, called "Review of Parts and Existences," includes works created over the past twenty years and curated by Roya Khajavi. The works in this collection are paper collages using photographs that have been modified at different stages of the work.
Tom Christoffersen Gallery, Denmark
An exhibition of Neda Zarf Saz artworks entitled "There is no forest among the trees" held at the Tom Christoffersen Gallery in Copenhagen. This collection of works, which includes instalations and design, opened to the public from September 24 to October 16, 2021.
Contemporary Istanbul 2021, Turky
Three Iranian galleries attended in the Contemporary Istanbul 2021. Mohsen Gallery with works of Amir Hossein Zanjani, Behrang Samadzadegan, Mahsa Nouri, Hossein Mohammadi, Amir Hossein Bayani, Milad Jahangiri , Zahra Ghiyasi and Bavan Gallery displayed works by Soraya Sharghi, Navid Azimi Sajjadi, and Ghinos Misaghi. Iran Shahr Glallery participated in this event by showing works by eight artists; Siamak Filizadeh, Salman Khoshrou, Shaya Shahrestani, Davood Zandian, Mehdi Shir Ahmadi, Reza Baharvand, Mohammad Reza Yazdi, and Farshid Davoodi.
Greater Toronto Art 2021, Canada
Greater Toronto Art 2021 (GTA21), brought together twenty-one of the most energizing artists and art collectives working in Toronto or intensely connected to the city. Ghazāle Āvar Zamāni was one of attendees with two works in this exhibition. ‘Mashrabiye’ is one of her works influenced by Iranian Islamic windows, which allows audience as viewer be able to look out from inside but not be seen from other side. Therefore some people are observing and others are getting viewed.
FIAC Exhibition, France
FIAC is a major event for contemporary art fans coming to Paris every Fall. For 4 days, from Thursday October 21 to Sunday 24, 2021, about 200 galleries take over the Temporary Grand Palais for the great International Contemporary Art Show. Dastan Gallery from Iran presented in this event to display some artworks by Farrokh Mahdavi, and Hoda Kashiha.
Dubai Art Expo
This global event with the presence of 400 artists from 170 countries inaugurated on November 4 at the Meydan Hotel, and held on November 5 and 6 November at the Al-Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood's .Works by Sadaf Kobari, Shirin Moayya, Sabrineh Toopchi, Maryam Moghaddam, Sara(Mitra) Azmoudeh Kalaty, Narges Maleki, Rooha Dabbaghian, Shahrzad Taheri, Lida Goldoust,Farahnaz Olyiaei, Sahel Panahi, Nilufar Rastgoftar, Sahar Alizadeh, and Narges Soleimanzadeh presented in Art Expo.
Artissima Art Agency, in collaboration with Sakoo Art School in Tehran displayed the remarkable and magnificent artworks of 14 Iranian at Dubai Art Expo.
By Dorsa Bakhshandegi