[Reflections and Exciting Horizons]
As the new year begins, SARAI Gallery sends warm wishes for 2025 to be a year of hope, creativity, and growth. We are eager to embark on new artistic journeys, foster deeper connections, and share inspiring moments with our valued community. Since our inception, we have remained dedicated to discovering and elevating talents from the Middle East, particularly from Iran, and bringing their exceptional works to the global stage. Now, entering our seventh year, we feel closer than ever to fulfilling this vision and look forward to the path ahead with enthusiasm.
[New Space in Tehran]
The year 2024 was a remarkable and inspiring chapter in SARAI Gallery's journey. We launched our new venue in Tehran, strengthening our engagement with the dynamic art scene in the capital, while maintaining our dedicated presence in Mahshahr.
Furthermore, Our commitment to expanding the boundaries of contemporary Iranian art has led to the restructuring and growth of our ongoing projects. Initiatives like Khor, Karavan, and Pasitigris have garnered recognition, and this year, we proudly introduced Arzhang, Dot, Observation, and Hach- each offering unique narratives and fresh opportunities for contemporary artistic expression.
The Dot. Projects launched with an extraordinary exhibition Body and Imagination, curated by Payam Khalili. This thought-provoking show featured the works of artists including Ali Zakeri, Omid Moshksar, Hadi Arabnarmi, Karim Ghane, Omid Hallaj, Mahdiye Mahmoudi, Moslem Khezri, Rasoul Akbarlou, Mina Bahreini, Farsam Sangini, Hosein Shirahmadi, Mahsa Nouri, and Faezeh Zandieh. By focusing on contemporary Iranian art through thematic exhibitions, Dot. continues to foster connections between artists, curators, and audiences, offering a fresh lens on Iran's evolving art scene.
The Arzhang Projects were inaugurated with Rabia, a group exhibition curated by the esteemed Farah Ossouli. This initiative bring to light the rich ties between Iranian contemporary art and its historical and cultural heritage, presenting works inspired by the enduring visual language of Traditional Iranian Painting.
In addition, the Observation Projects debuted with a dual exhibition featuring Mahdiye Mahmoudi and Ghader Mansoori. Dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging talents, this initiative amplifies new voices in Iranian contemporary art and connects them with the broader art community.
We also continued the Pasitigris Projects, with a solo exhibition titled Fortune Telling by Hafez by the renowned Gizella Varga Sinai, hosted at SARAI-Mahshahr. Initiated to decentralize art and boost artistic activity in non-central regions, Pasitigris highlights artists from southern Iran and introduces works from central regions to new audiences in Mahshahr.
[Exhibitions]
In 2024, we proudly expanded our horizons by providing exceptional opportunities for artists to showcase their creativity through solo exhibitions and curated group exhibitions.
We began the year with the opening of our new gallery in Tehran, marked by the exhibition The Sound of Not Breathing, curated by Payam Khalili. This remarkable show featured a diverse lineup of contemporary Iranian artists, including Amir Jadidi, Amin Noorani, Bijan Akhgar, Samila Amir Ebrahimi, Mohammad Khalili, Jaleh Akbari, Samaneh Samimi, Vali Javadi Azar, Ali Jahangard, Abbas Nasle Shamloo, and Hesam Rezaei.
Throughout the year, we inaugurated collaborations with several talented artists. Fataneh Foroughi's solo exhibition To the Sunshine, Seyed Taher Mousavi's White Shadows, and Narges Fadakar's Nasar were notable highlights in our journey.
We also continued to nurture ongoing partnerships with Shima Faridani, who presented her captivating solo exhibition Interplay, and Sadaf Seyed, who returned with her second solo show Scarlet: Red.
Notably, we were honored to debut Trunk, the solo exhibition of Faezeh Zandieh, the winner of KHOR 2023. Her profound and thought-provoking work exemplifies the exceptional talent and vision we strive to promote through our platform.
[Art Fairs]
SARAI Gallery continues to strengthen its global presence, bringing the vibrant works of Iranian artists to renowned art fairs in 2024. This year, we are proud to have participated in several prestigious events, further expanding our reach and fostering artistic dialogue on an international scale.
At Art Dubai, we marked our fourth consecutive year with a dynamic group exhibition curated by Roxane Zand in the Contemporary section, featuring Moslem Khezri, Faezeh Zandieh, Shima Faridani, Sam Nikmaram, and Sadaf Seyed, which captivated audiences.
Returning for the second time to EXPO CHICAGO, we presented the group exhibition Once We Are All Gone, curated by Payam Khalili, featuring the works of Ali Zakeri, Abbas Nasle Shamloo, Parham Peyvandi, Sam Nikmaram, and Sadaf Seyed.
Our continued participation in The Armory Show marked a milestone, as we presented a dual exhibition curated by Payam Khalili, showcasing the remarkable works of Faezeh Zandieh and Mohammad Khalili in the Presents section.
We also made our fourth appearance at Abu Dhabi Art, showcasing the exceptional paintings of Orkideh Torabi, Moslem Khezri, and Fataneh Foroughi in the Special Projects section, further solidifying our commitment to advancing contemporary Iranian art on the global stage.
As the year concluded, we celebrated our third consecutive appearance in Untitled Art Miami Beach, presenting the works of Narges Fadakar, Fataneh Foroughi, Parham Peyvandi, Sam Nikmaram, and Ayda Roozbayani, curated by Payam Khalili.
Reflecting on the achievements of 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunities and collaborations that have enriched our journey. We look forward to the exciting prospects that 2025 will bring, as we continue to share the voices of Middle Eastern artists with the world. Thank you for being a part of this ongoing journey!
December 14, 2024
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