A Master and His Students

First He Wrought, and Afterward He Taught

A Tirgun Image Works Exhibition

First He Wrought, and Afterward He Taught1: An Exhibition of the Jewelry of Parviz Tanavoli and His Students

On a windy afternoon in October, I sat with Ostad Parviz Tanavoli in his studio. “Some were critical of me teaching others in my work-shop to create sculpture,” he said and then explained, “They still believe in the master-apprentice system of teaching. But when I see all this talent and eagerness to learn, I find pleasure in teaching what I know so that others can carry on in this field.” Later, when I sat down to write the note for this catalogue, I was reminded of the Parson in The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer writes of a Parson who lives an exemplary life, one rich in thoughts and deeds and in which “First he wrought, and afterward he taught.” It is exactly this aspect of Tanavoli’s character that has kept him ahead of the Iranian art scene for over fifty years. To teach is to learn and although the careers of many of his con-temporaries have faded over the decades, Tanavoli has been ac-tively working as an artist, scholar and collector since the 1960’s. His influence on art movements, other artists’ careers and the mar-ket is undeniable. Even at his first studio in Tehran called ‘Atelier Kaboud’ – a gathering place for poets, painters, architects and filmmakers – Tanavoli organized small exhibitions of his new works

and those by other young artists such as Hossein Zenderoudi2. Further, he has collected and archived in his books the history of traditional Iranian arts such as tribal carpets, iron and steel-ware and thus revived the public’s interest in these precious arts.In his small-scale sculptures created as wearable art, Tanavoli ref-erences motifs from the traditional arts of Iran as well as his own “Heech” forms. Talisman inspired pieces such as the hand, birds and cages are among his more common themes presented at this exhibition. Some of his students have followed in his footsteps with similar traditional forms such as lions while others have bro-ken completely free and designed uniquely modern pieces from everyday objects such as cars, nails, electric sockets and even faucets. Although Tanavoli’s influence on strong technique and solid design work is apparent, however it has in no way overshad-owed the individual style of each student. Their work is the result of proper teaching on the part of the master and hard work on the part of the students. This exhibition brings together a beautiful collection of the Ostad’s work together with those created by 23 of his students.

Simindokht Dehghani

1 Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales2 “Abby Weed Grey and Parviz Tanavoli” by Shiva Balaghi, December 2008

First He Wrought...

Heech on Hand, pendant in bronze

Double Heech, ring in bronze

Hand on Ring, ring in silver and turquoise

Bird and Tree, pendant in silver

Hand 2, pendant in white gold and diamonds

Hand 1, pendant in gold and emeralds

Hand and Frame, pendant in silver

Hand and Window, pendant in enameled silver

Heech on Black Background,pendant in enameled silver

Heech on Dark Red Background,pendant in enameled silver

Twin Heeches on Green Background, ring in enameled silver

Heech on Blue Background, ring in enameled silver

...And Afterward He Taught.

Ali MousavizadehUntitled, series in silver, copper and bronze

1975, TehranBA in Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad UniversityAli has participated in several national group exhibitions. He was awarded the 1st place prize by the Mah-e Mehr Art Academy.

Untitled in bronzeAmir Mousavizadeh

1979, TehranMicrosoft Certified System EngineeringAmir has participated in several national group exhibitions.

Untitled, series in silver, copper and bronze

Anahita Anasseri

1978, TehranBA Biology, Shahid Beheshti UniversityAnahita has participated in several national group exhibitions.

Cars, series in bronze

Atena Akhavan

1984, TehranBA Industrial Design, Islamic Azad UniversityAtena received the Abate Zanetti Scholarship from the Laguna Festival in Venice. She was awarded the 1st place prize from the 4th International Fajr Festival of Visual Arts in Iran. She has held national solo and group exhibitions.

2 series titled Hood and Untitled in enameled silver and bronze

Azadeh Tabiban

1990, TehranBS Computer Engineering (in progress), Shahid Beheshti University

Untitled, series in bronze

Farish Alborzkouh

1982, TehranBA Publishing Design, Elmi Karbordi UniversityAA Painting, Elmi Karbordi UniversityFarish has participated in numerous national and international group exhibitions.

Connection, series in silver and bronze

Hosna Arbabi

1986, TehranAA Painting, Mowlana Private University

Untitled, series in silver, copper and bronze

Leyli Taheri

1981, TehranBA Architecture UniversityLeyli has participated in several national group exhibitions.

4 series titled Motif, Love Blue,Window and Basin in enameled gold and silver

Mahrooz Beladi

1983, TehranMA Painting, Tarbiat Modares UniversityBA Painting, Islamic AzadMahrooz has participated in national and international group exhibitions and held a solo show in Canada. She was awarded the Best Animation Prize from the Tehran Short Film Festival.

2 series titled Birds and Lazy in enameled silver, brass and bronze

Mahsa Kheirkhah

1981, TehranBA Graphic Design, Art and Architecture UniversityMA Art Studies, Art and Media UniversityMahsa has held several national group exhibitions.

Paria, series in silver

Maryam Tabaei

1980, EsfahanMA Industrial Design, Islamic Azad University

3 series titled Mond, Cube and Joined in enameled silver and bronze

Nariman Nakhjiri

1988, TehranBS Computer Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University

Universe, Wrath of Nature, Time, Clockwerk, Beast, Wings of Icarus, Restless Dream and Sylvannas in bronze

Naz Maryam Sheikhha

1982, TehranMA Graphic Design, Islamic Azad UniversityNaz Maryam is a member of the Graphic Design Guild of Iran. She has participated in several national group exhibitions and been awarded prizes.

Persian Garden, Cloud, Saba Wind, Cypress and Rain in gold, silver and bronze

Niloofar Salehi

1985, TehranBA Handicrafts, Al-Zahra UniversityNiloofar has participated in several national group exhibitions.

Shirestan (Lionland), series in enameled bronze and underglazed pottery

Roshanak Ramezani

1981, RashtBS Fishing Industry, Islamic Azad UniversityRoshanak has participated in national group exhibitions and works as a jewelry designer for goldsmiths across Iran.

Nasoor, series in silver and bronze

Sahar Doustar

1985, TehranBA, Architecture and Urban Design, University of Science and TechnologySahar has participated in several national and international groups exhibitions.

4 series titled Break Time, Dairy Cow, Drinking Fountain, Sections from a House and Movies I Have Watched in enameled silver and bronze

Sara Razmi

1983, TehranBA English Translation, Kish International University

Shamsolemareh, series in semi precious stones and enameled silver and bronze

Sara Vijeh

1981, TehranDegree, Natural Resources Engineering, Islamic Azad University

Hoarding, series in silver and bronze

Sepideh Nouri

1981, TehranAA Film Directing, Islamic Azad UniversityBA Graphic Design, Islamic Azad UniversitySepideh has participated in several national group exhibitions.

3 series titled Industrial Revolution, Solutions and Sin Sets in enameled silver, bronze and copper

Shabnam Afrand

1976, TehranMA Painting, Islamic Azad UniversityBA Painting, Islamic Azad UniversityShabnam is a member of the Iranian Painter’s Society and has participated in numerous national group exhibitions.

Sum-Mahoo, series in bronze

Sogol Jamdar

1975, TehranBA Industrial Design, Al-Zahra University

2 series titled Creation and Rainbow Rings in enameled bronze

Soheila Ildar

1961, TehranSoheila is a self-taught artist. In addition to jewelry design, she has completed courses in painting, sculpting and design. She has participated in many national group exhibitions.

My Daughters, series in silver and bronze

Sussan Mostowfi

1951, TehranBA Industrial Design, Tehran UniversitySussan has been designing jewelry since 2010and has participated in several national group shows.

Birds, series in turquoise and silver

Dar Al Funoon Gallery

Al Watiyah, Behbehani Compound, House 28, Behind the ChurchKuwait City, Kuwait, Tel: +965 2243 3129

December 17th, 2012