The second edition of the National Sculpture Symposium of Tabriz will be held late April in the northwestern metropolis bringing together 30 field artists from across the country.
The symposium’s call for submission has been published and those interested should submit their stone works to the symposium secretariat by the first week of June. The selection committee will analyze the proposed works and decide the final entries, Honaronline reported.
According to Jafar Najibi, a renowned sculptor and secretary general of the symposium, the national event seeks to help create the conditions for Iranian sculptors to display their works in a calm, free and buoyant atmosphere.
“Most of the sculpture symposiums in Iran are international and Iranian artworks normally fade in comparison with the foreign entries. It is for this reason that this exclusive convention is being organized.”
Most sculptors have learned their art experimentally, Najibis says, and notes that one of the main goals of the event is to help spread the culture of modern sculpting beyond megacities.
Moreover, cultural directors in small cities are usually not familiar with modern art and most works in such regions are limited to substandard figures and statues.
The symposium will also help familiarize officials and art enthusiasts with modern art and promote it across the nation. “The turnout at last year’s edition was small. A training course on sculpting was held for artists in Tabriz to augment their chances of entering their hometown’s symposium,” Najibi was quoted as saying.
The number of applicants has more than doubled compared to last year. Each participant in the symposium will receive $3800 worth of financial assistance by the organizers, and the top three winners will receive cash awards.
