Top contemporary painting prize opens in Tehran
The third edition of the Grand Prize of Iran Contemporary Painting opened Friday at the Iranian Artists Forum in downtown Tehran, showcasing works by 170 painters from across the country.
The exhibition, which features selected entries from more than 4,500 submissions, will run through July 20, excluding Saturdays.
The annual event, one of Iran’s leading platforms for contemporary painting, is organized by the Iranian Painters Association in collaboration with Saman Insurance.
The exhibition spreads across six galleries—Mirmiran, Namayesh, Bahar, Tabestan, Paeiz, and Zemestan—inside the well-known arts hub.
This year’s jury includes veteran artist Shahriar Ahmadi, critic and painter Rozita Sharafjahan, and academic Amir Nasri.
The prize aims to elevate contemporary voices in Iranian visual art and spotlight emerging talents. According to the organizers, the high number of submissions signals growing public interest in painting as a form of “critical expression” amid shifting cultural dynamics.
The event is backed by multiple working groups under the Painters Association, including curatorial, research, and digital units.