TEHRAN -- An exhibition of paintings by Iranian painter and carpet designer Jafar Petgar (1920-2004) was inaugurated here on Tuesday at the Saba Art and Cultural Institute in conjunction with an unveiling ceremony for a book on his artworks.
Saba director Masud Naseri, daughter of Petgar Heleh, and a number of artists attended the opening ceremony, Saba institute reported in a press release on Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Heleh said that her father did not like having his works reviewed, so the critics of his time paid no particular attention to his works. However, he wanted them to be preserved in his country. “I painted these works for the people of my country,” he always said. He had a mystical attitude toward art.
“My father and his brother Ali Asghar established the first painting educational center on Naderi St., when they moved from Tabriz to Tehran,” she added
Mohammad-Mehdi Rahimian, the photographer and compiler of the book next talked about the book. “When I was asked to compile the book I warmly received the idea since I believe compiling and publishing books on visual arts help preserve our contemporary cultural heritage,” he said.
The 300-page book with Persian and English subtitles with an introduction written by Petgar family members will soon be released.
Saba institute has plans to continue its honoring ceremonies for veterans, Naseri said next, adding, “Petgar was a great artist and connected miniature with painting, a bridge between traditional and contemporary worlds.”
A number of paintings by Petgar are currently preserved at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.
The exhibit will be running until January 23 at the institute located on Mozaffar St., off Taleqani Ave., near Felestin Square.
RM/YAW
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