Shop the Show: The Fascinating History of Iran’s Rich Artistic Output Is Now on Display in Montreal

Installation view of Eran Gallery, Montreal, 2021.

Installation view, 2021. Courtesy of Eran Gallery. — Installation view of Eran Gallery, Montreal, 2021.

Every month, hundreds of galleries showcase new exhibitions on the Artnet Gallery Network—and every week, we shine a spotlight on the exhibitions we think you should see. Check out what we have in store, and inquire more with one simple click.

What You Need to Know: The exhibition “Discover Iranian Artists’ Taste” at Eran Gallery is meant to introduce Montreal audiences to the rich range of Iran’s artistic output, to through the work of 11 artists. A wide span of Iranian Modern and contemporary art is on view—from the artist Nasser Ovissi’s decorative depictions of women which are rooted in the traditions of Persian miniature painting, to Siamak Azmi’s controversy-courting canvases, which recontextualize cartoons characters and pop culture mascots. And 10 percent of the profits from exhibition sales will be donated to aid humanitarian causes in Iran.

Why We Like It: The exhibition is the first in what the gallery hopes will be an annual showcase of the broad talents of Iranian artists working around the world. Curated by the gallery’s founders, Reza Paykazadi and Neda Paykazadi, the exhibition provides insight into the rich history of art-making in the country, starting with the Persian court painters of the 14th century. It also follows the genesis of the Modern art movement in Iran in the late 40s, following the death of the artist Kamal al-Mulk (1852–1940), who first introduced Western techniques to the country. And it continues all the way through to the era of the Iranian Revolution, to the work emerging from the diaspora today. The gallery offers short biographies of all the participating artists and situates each within this complex history.

What the Gallery Says: “ERAN Art Gallery was established in 2016 to showcase Iranian artists needing gallery representation in North America. We are convinced that the digital space is invaluable for bringing transparency and equity to the art market, which was not presented accordingly to all the artists in the past. In this exhibition, we are promoting emerging and established visual artists from Iran in a Canadian context; the show includes artists working across a variety of styles, from Modern abstraction, calligraphy, contemporary miniatures, Surrealism, conceptual realism, and Neo-Expressionism.”