FRAGMENTS OF PERSIAN MODERNITY

Spanning painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the exhibition delves into how Iranian artists have responded to historical shifts, cultural narratives, and personal experiences. From the visionary storytelling of Aydin Aghdashloo and Ali-Akbar Sadeghi and the expressive brushstrokes of Manouchehr Yektai, to the intricate geometric compositions of Monir Farmanfarmaian and the poetic abstraction of Sirak Melkonian and Yaghoub Emdadian, the selected works embody the multiplicity of artistic voices that have shaped Iran’s modern and contemporary art movements.


By juxtaposing early pioneers with later generations, Fragments of Persian Modernity traces the evolution of artistic language in Iran, revealing a compelling interplay between figurative and abstract expressions, mystical symbolism and political undertones, personal introspection and universal themes. The exhibition also highlights how Iranian artists have engaged with global currents while maintaining a distinct cultural sensibility, positioning their works within broader artistic and intellectual conversations.


Each artwork serves as a fragment of a larger narrative—one that speaks to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of creativity in the face of social and historical transformation. Together, these pieces offer a nuanced perspective on the richness of Iranian art, inviting viewers to witness the unfolding story of Persian modernity through the lens of its most visionary artists.

– Idin Emdadian


Artists:

Farah Abolghasem | Aydin Aghdashloo | Massoud Arabshahi | Nasser Assar | Fereydoun Ave | Yaghoub Emdadian | Parvaneh Etemadi | Raana Farnoud | Pariyoush Ganji | Ali Golestaneh | Mohammad Hossein Emad | Mehdi Hosseini | Farshid Maleki | Shohreh Mehran | Sirak Melkonian | Nosratollah Moslemian | Manouchehr Motabar | Ahmad Nasrollahi | Nicky Nodjoumi | Farah Ossouli | Houshang Pezeshknia | Ali Akbar Sadeghi | Homayoun Salimi | Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian | Mohammad Ali