First International Gallery Exposition in Tehran

The International Gallery Exposition, the first of its kind in Iran displaying works from 24 world galleries, began yesterday in Tehran’s Qasr Garden Museum.

Twenty four galleries from different countries are displaying about 300 valuable artworks at the exposition, the museum Managing Director Mohammadreza Saeidi said in a press conference on Tuesday.

A painting by Pablo Picasso, two works by Joan Miro, and two sculptures by Salvador Dali are seen among the items on show, he added.

The artworks have come from Spain, Peru, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Turkey and several other countries.

Several gallery owners, artists and art experts are also in Tehran aiming to be more in direct contact with Iranian artists. “They want to gain access to the source of Iranian artworks,” he said.

He added that no Iranian galleries are attending the program, however, works by several Iranian artists, including Jalal Shabahangi, Reza Kianian, Hamid Pazoki, Ahmad Vakili and Ali Shirazi can be seen on display.

“We did not plan to put works on sale, however if any individual would like to acquire any of the works, the selling prices are available,” he mentioned.

Picasso’s painting with 2.8 million dollars is the highest priced at the exhibit.

Saeidi also explained that over the past six months, foreign experts have visited the location of the museum, prepared films and photos for their gallery owners, and finally approved the location, which has been improved based on world standards.

Each gallery knew in advance the exact location in the museum where their works would be displayed, he added.

The exhibition will run until July 4, and has been organized by the Nasl-e Aftab Cultural and Sport Institute, an Iranian NGO, to raise funds for people suffering from rare diseases.

Mayjune Gallery from South Korea, Palma Arte Gallery from Italy, Petit Atelier from France, the National Gallery of Izmir from Turkey and Uniplastic Gallery from Switzerland are among the participating galleries.

The catalogue of the exhibit will be published in two volumes.

[Source: Tehran Times] [Image credit: Iran – International Gallery Exposition Facebook Event Page]