87 Paintings by 87 Students

TEHRAN (Iranart) - I t is now 30 years that painter Iraj Shafei, 56, is teaching art. To mark the anniversary he has set up a group exhibition of his pupils’ paintings at Art Time Gallery in Tehran.

Running through January 24, the exhibit features 87 paintings by the same number of his students. It celebrates the 30th founding  anniversary of Iraj Shafei Painting Atelier in Tehran, Honaronline reported.

No central theme is set for the show. In terms of size, subject, technique and material, works at the event are very diverse. Participants also are from different generations. The youngest practitioner is 10 years old.

Landscapes, figurative paintings and portraits, abstract works, still lives and calligraphic paintings are seen among the works.

Shafei attended the opening ceremony on January 12 which was rather crowded. He believes absence of a central theme is among the advantages of the show. “The exhibit is an outcome of my pupils’ painting practices. I’m teaching them for the past 30 years … I didn’t set any specific theme for the exhibit, because I liked them to bring out the works that would reflect their personal worlds and perspectives.”

Shafei selected the present collection based on the progress he saw in the performance of each student. “The exhibit incites a special good feeling in me,” he said, adding that he cares for his students as much as he cares for his works.  

Born in Mashhad, Shafei learned to paint at Aydin Aghdashlou School of painting in Terhan, held five solo exhibits in Iran, the UAE and the US; and participated in over 90 group exhibitions in Iran, the UK, China, France, Canada, Spain, Germany, the UAE and Qatar.

Art Time Gallery is located at No. 14, Parviz Vahabi Street, Asef Street, Zaferanieh neighborhood.