Art lovers flocked to the British Capital on Thursday (October 15) to embrace an exhibition of Iranian artwork which coincided with the prominent 2009 Frieze fair.
"Iran Unbowed," sponsored by the London-based cultural consultancy Candlestar, is a response to the emerging popularity of Iranian art on the international stage, organisers say.
Having been catapulted into the limelight over the past years for its disputed nuclear programme and internal politics, the Islamic Republic is often overlooked as an important contributor to the international art and culture scene.
The exhibition displays the works of Hossein Cheraghchi, Rasool Soltani, and Parviz Tanavoli. The latter, often referred to as the father of contemporary Iranian sculpture, has regularly showcased his work in London.
"At the present, Iran is the centre of attention because of its political situation but Iranian art is not a new phenomenon," Tanavoli said.
"It's always been there, and now there's a lot more attention towards it. So people want to know more about it, and Iranian artists are becoming more political-minded and they like to express themselves, their ideas, their thoughts through their arts, whether it's painting or it's sculpture. In different media they want to show. And this of course -- their work isn't hidden from the eye of the westerners, and they can see that our Iranian artists are involved with their country -- with the social problems, with the political problems -- and that is I think why westerners are very much interested in the Iranian Art," added Tanavoli, who had travelled to London for the opening of 'Iran Unbowed'.
Tanavoli said that despite the economic downturn and a slump in art sales, Iranian artists continue to produce contemporary art at an unprecedented pace.
"The economical situation, you know -- the global economical situation -- definitely has affected Iranian art too. I mean, we are part of it, and Iranian artists are too. But nobody has slowed down their work -- or stopped their work because of this situation. I mean, I see people are as eager, artists are as eager to work and to present and to show as they were before although the market is much slower than it used to be," Tanavoli said.
With contemporary Middle-Eastern and south Asian art works fetching record sums in recent auctions in the West, there is proof of an increasing international interest in Middle Eastern art.
"Collectors are always looking for a new market and they moved from Indian art to Chinese art to Iranian art -- and now Turkish art. So although you could say all this politics brings country to the -- sort of focus in terms of collector -- but it doesn't make it happen. It has to have the quality and I think the Iranian art is just amazing." said the director of Candlestar and event organiser Fariba Farshad.
Fans and critics alike embraced the artwork displayed at 'Iran Unbowed," which, although contemporary, has its roots in traditional Persian art.
"I think it's very interesting and It's very different to what we normally see in London. I think that's a good change. And I think probably it's a way forward for collecting in the future," said Art Critic, Tim Forrest.
"I quite like it. I think they carefully selected one of the quite hot topics at the moment for the art world basically. As you know, Iranian, Persian art is quite a hot topic, especially for the collectors," added Olivia Li, the International Business Development Manager at University of the Arts London.
The age of some of the artists showing their work did not go unnoticed either.
"They are all very young -- very young. What attracts me is the young ages that I read about. It's beautiful... very beautiful," said art fan Afsaneh Kashani.
'Iran Unbowed' is showing at the Hyatt Regency until October 24.
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