Contemporary Iranian Art: Emerging Interest in Iranian Art in the International Art Markets and the Reception, Production and Assessment of Iranian Contemporary Art in the International Sphere.

Abstract

Contemporary Iranian Art has recently become a new entry in International art markets, a condition possibly derived from the current political situation. Both Christie's and Sotheby's, two of the most important auction houses in the world, have introduced specialist departments dedicated to Iranian Contemporary Art, as early as 2007, within their Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art departments. Increasing interest in contemporary Iranian art can be traced by its exponential economic growth in such markets. The aim of this thesis is to investigate and observe the changes in the reception of contemporary Iranian art, how this effects the production and reception of the art and artists themselves, mainly through the effect of the entrance of Iranian contemporary art in international art markets, ownership and exhibitions, either through personal collections or galleries, focusing on Iranian contemporary art. Specifically because of the peculiar political situation of the country itself, the problems of censorship and anti-Western sentiments, Iranian art arises as an oddity in the Middle East, where artists and galleries are, as of recent times, trying to regain their own space and create art that can reflect a new national identity, signalling a reclaiming of Iran and negative aspects associated with the country.