The founder of Iran\’s first art gallery created magical sculptures using industrial scrap

February 9, On This Day

February 9 marks 13 years since the passing of Iranian avant-garde painter, poet, and sculptor, Jazeh Tabatabai.

The founder and director of Iran Modern Art Gallery — the first art gallery in Iran — he was born in 1931 and began his creative oeuvre at age 12, writing plays and more.

His first art exhibition was in 1951 at the age of just 20, where he displayed miniatures.

Also known as known as Ali Tabatabai, his works can today be found in major collections and museums around the globe, including the Louvre and Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have also been displayed in exhibitions in England, India, Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, Australia, France and the US. Tabatabai received over 10 major international awards for his paintings and sculptures.

His fame is mostly due to his creative figures and metal sculptures, assembled with parts from old machinery and cars. His style is close to the Saghaneh School — milk-women and suns are repeating themes in his work. For this reason, he is cited alongside a handful of other influential Iranian artists as a pioneer of the Saghaneh School, which took form in the 1980s.

Tabatabai reportedly said: “One day I am a writer and one day a painter; I wake up and I am a different person who perceives the structure differently, and this flame always torches inside me. Having perception is enough, and the form of expression shall be found.”