Big Names, Newcomers at ‘100 Works, 100 Artists’

The 26th edition of “100 Works, 100 Artists,” a major exhibition-cum-sale of works by renowned artists will open Friday at Golestan Gallery in Tehran, offering a variety of art mediums with prices ranging from $30 to $8,500.

According to Honaronline, prices of the artworks start from 3 million rials ($30) which is tagged on a work by an unknown artist. The most expensive work, though, is a painting by Bahman Mohasses (1931-2010), a prolific genius whose works are eagerly sought by art collectors around the world. The painting on cardboard is priced at 850 million rials ($8,500).

The gallery was lucky to procure another work (other than the aforementioned pricy painting) by the legendary artist. It is a lithograph estimated to fetch $5,500.

Modernist painter and calligrapher Seyyed Mohammad Ehsai, 79, is showing two of his works -- one costing $8,000 and the other $6,000. Ehsai’s works are usually characterized by a combination of Persian calligraphy, graphic design and abstraction.

A landscape painting by painter and calligrapher Keikhosro Khoroush, 77, will be offered at $6,000. One painting by modernist painter Farideh Lashai (1944-2013) is tagged at $2,500. The collection also includes a work by realist painter Hojjat Shakiba, 69. It will be offered for $2,000.

A work by painter and sculptor Iraj Zand (1950-2006) is in the sculpture section of the event and costs $3,000. This year’s event is also introducing some new and emerging sculptors with notable works.

Part of the exhibit is dedicated to calligraphy. Several works by master of the art Reza Mafi (1943-1981) are adorning the walls.

A group of young artists from across the country are also taking part with works at more affordable prices.  

Paintings, calligraphy works, print arts and sculptures by 182 artists will be on view. But the collection on display will regularly change -- as soon as a work is purchased it will be replaced by another.

Owner of Golestan Gallery is curator and translator Lili Golestan. She launched the annual event in 1992.

Except Thursdays, the 26th edition of 100 Works, 100 Artists will run through August 21. The gallery is located at No. 34, Kamasai St., Darrus neighborhood, Dowlat Street.