muraqqa-logo
image

Untitled, Mothers of Martyrs Series

Newsha Tavakolian, 2007

Digital Photograph

image

The Struggle Within

Farhad Arhania, 2007 - 2008

Digital print on cotton aida, embroidery

image

Tulips Rise from the Blood of the Nation’s Youth

MAHMOUD BAKHSHI MOAKHAR, Series: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, Group of 8 sculptures in Neon, Tinplate, Wood, Plastick, Electric engine, 135 X 35 X 30 cm each, 2008, New Media

image

For Inanna

SAHAND HESAMIYAN, 2007

Composite, Phosphorus Powder

110 x 70 x 50 cm

image

For Inanna

SAHAND HESAMIYAN, 2007

Composite, Phosphorus Powder

110 x 70 x 50 cm

image

Untitled, Shade of Water Series

ABBAS KOWSARI, 2008

Photograph

70 x 105 cm

image

Amino Acids, 2009

VAHID CHAMANI

Oil and Ink on Canvas

150 x 100 cm

Creating a ‘magical’ circle in contemporary Iranian art

By Shirley Elghanian

October 2009

Magic of Persia chairman Shirley Elghanian describes the charity’s initiatives in creating the first Iranian contemporary art prize which is to be assigned this month, with artists such as Farhad Ahrania nominated amongst the finalists.

In recent years, contemporary Iranian art has been brought to the attention of the global art scene. Influenced by the often tumultuous social and political conditions in Iran, and a long history of outstanding cultural and artistic production, the contemporary artists of the region offer an innovative and often bewildering perspective to its Western and international audiences. This artistic movement became all the more profound given the predominantly young, vibrant and daring dispositions of the artists, working and producing art in a politically-charged environment that poses various obstacles which can act as either a set of griping challenges or stimuli of inspiration.

It was in this context that Magic of Persia, a UK-based charity, decided to enter the world of contemporary Iranian art with the sole purpose of promoting it, particularly by supporting young, emerging Iranian artists. These young artists constitute the majority of the Iranian artistic community, and yet have little access to resources which could aid them in the establishment of their careers. Magic of Persia’s aim is to address this gap by providing the advisory, financial and supportive resources needed to facilitate these artists’ exposure on the international platform. These facilities are provided through the organisation of exhibitions, allocation of art scholarships at leading art institutions in the UK, and most importantly, the creation of the Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize (MOP CAP) – the first art prize dedicated to contemporary Iranian art.

MOP CAP was officially launched in September 2008, with the winner due to be announced on the 17th of October 2009 at the Royal College of Art in London. The objective of the Prize is to draw attention towards the works of a large number of emerging Iranian artists living both within and outside of Iran, while promoting a healthy level of competition among them by exposing their works to the critical eyes of the international arts community. Aware of the central significance of the role of the jury to the Prize, Magic of Persia invested a great deal of effort in securing an outstanding and knowledgeable jury, including internationally acclaimed names such as Sheena Wagstaff, Julia Peyton-Jones, Shirin Neshat and Abbas Kiarostami. Entry to the Prize was by nomination only, ensuring the highest quality of submitted works. Over 120 artists were nominated by a panel of carefully selected members of the Iranian and international arts communities with close familiarity and knowledge of the emerging Iranian artistic community. Thirty-four of the nominated artists were shortlisted, and after close examination of their works at an exhibition organised in Dubai during March 2009, six finalists were announced by the MOP CAP jury.

The works of the six finalists will be displayed at an exhibition taking place on the 15th -17th of October 2009 at the Royal College of Art in London, with the final winner being announced by the judges on the 17th October 2009. The winner will receive a solo exhibition at a leading London gallery taking place in 2010. However, the beauty and significance of MOP CAP extends well beyond the celebration of the final winner. By publicising and exhibiting their works in Dubai and London, MOP CAP brings to international attention the works of all the shortlisted and finalist artists, providing them with a much-needed platform on the international stage. Coinciding with the 2009 Frieze Art Fair, the exhibition of works by MOP CAP Finalists at the RCA will highlight the works of these emerging Iranian artists for the global arts community gathered in London. We at Magic of Persia hope and believe that all the participating artists will benefit from this Prize.

A further distinguishing aspect of Magic of Persia’s endeavours is that they provide a circle through which one arts community can help to support and promote another. The funds raised from sales of over 50 works by established Iranian artists at Magic of Persia’s charity auction in April 2009 helped to finance MOP CAP and our other efforts at promoting works of young, emerging Iranian artists. Through this, we bring together the experience and excellence of Iran’s established artists and the talents and dynamism of these emerging artistic minds. Our aim is to keep this magical circle expanding as feverishly as possible and to continue our promotion of the established and emerging talents of Iranian contemporary art.