Poet in Love

Next month sees the opening of Poets in Love, the first solo show in Britan  from Iranian artist Parviz Tanavoli since 1960.

Now 72 years old , Tanavoli lives and works between Canada and Iran. Not afraid to express his ideas on highly-charged political subjects, in 2005 he created the Heech in a Cage sculpture, which was a protest against the conditions of the American-held prisoners detained the Guantanamo Bay. The next year, he also began work on a piece to honour the victims of the Israeli-Lebanon war.

Tanavoli is renowned as a central figure to the modern art world in Iran, and is heavily influenced by his country’s tradition, culture and history as one of the Saqqakhaneh School of art, a group of artists inspired by Iranian folk art.

The forthcoming show features 35 pieces – many of which have never been seen before – including works in fibreglass and bronze sculptures, paired with contemporary drawings.

The work showcases Tanavoli’s love of Persian architecture, culture and poetry, while also referencing the human figure in their form and composition.

Parviz Tanavoli : Poets in Love runs form 21 September – 29 October at Austin / Desmond Fine Art, Pied Bull Yard, 68/69 Great Russell Street, London WC1B