Table of Contents
Key Art Market Highlights in Iran for the Year 2023
Statistics and Figures of 2023
Iranian Artists' Achievements in Global Auctions
Introduction
The year 2023 stood out distinctly from the previous year, heralding the revival of the art market's customary operations. The year 2022 was overshadowed by political and societal events, which left their mark on the economy and consequently, the art market, causing a period of stagnation. Artchart's scrutiny of the art activities in 2023, however, reveals that as the turmoil subsided, a sense of normalcy and stability was restored to the art domain, allowing the market's regular rhythm to recommence.
The Artchart team, having previously conducted an analysis of the art market in 2022, has now, for a second occasion, offered a comprehensive report on the progression and activities of the Iranian art market. In its multi-year journey, Artchart has always been committed to analyzing art market data, and it is from this commitment that the imperative for a dedicated database in this arena was born.
In fact, the quest by the Arthall team to appraise Iranian artworks by researching their sales history led to the realization of a void—an authoritative source in the art world. Addressing this very need, Artchart was established in the year 2019. The purpose of establishing Artchart was to create a database for the Iranian art market that could serve as a reference for a wide range of art community members, from artists to art collectors.
Artchart has been diligently gathering data on the Iranian art market, available from 2005 till today, and is now broadening its scope to encompass the MENA region. This platform, with its unparalleled access to Iran's most extensive art market database and its robust analytical strength, consistently delivers diverse and authoritative market reports.
Adopting this perspective, Artchart has sketched an overview of the art market's current landscape and its shifts by analyzing data and statistics gathered in 2023, juxtaposing them with the trends of preceding years. At the outset of this report, we've conducted a review of the Iranian art market's milestones in the year 2023. Moving forward, we've delved into an analysis of the preceding year, presenting it through a lens of statistics and figures, highlighting the most valued artworks, the artists with the highest sales, gallery activities and statistics, and the achievements of Iranian artists in both international auctions and Tehran Auction.
Key Art Market Highlights in Iran for the Year 2023
Before delving into the most significant events of Iran's art market in 2023, it is essential to consider the market's conditions over the past few years. This retrospective view allows us to analyze the previous year's status and reach a broader perspective on that period.
In the year 2019, the advent of the coronavirus pandemic brought the world's established order to a standstill. It was a period when not just the economic heartbeat but also the societal energy and momentum across the globe paused, as the focus shifted to the escalating fatalities and the urgent quest for treatments to counteract this illness, disrupting all forms of activity.
As the coronavirus vaccine became widely available and the pandemic began to wane, the rhythm of daily life gradually returned to its familiar tempo. In Iran, the ebbing tide of COVID-19 infections breathed new life into the societal pulse. Yet, the year 2022 brought with it social and political shifts that once again slowed the steady beat of everyday existence, leaving no sector, including the realms of economy and arts, untouched by its influence.
As a result, the vital currents that infused life into the art market, such as galleries and domestic auctions, slowed down or came to a complete standstill for several months.
The year 2022 unfolded in such a way, yet the lull did not extend into the subsequent year. In 2023, the art market picked up the threads of its former vigor. While some sectors accelerated back to their pre-pandemic pace with renewed energy, others, despite an uptick from 2022, still lagged behind the activity levels of 2021.
The Tehran Auction Was Held Three Times
One of the movements that witnessed a comparative increase in numbers was Tehran Auction. Initially held only once a year, the auction, after several cycles, saw its organizers decide to conduct it biannually.
The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the regular cycle of Tehran Auction, and in the year 2020, only one session was held, showcasing modern and contemporary Iranian works. With the decline in COVID-19 cases, the auction resumed in both halves of the year, conducting sales in August and January of 2021. However, due to the events of 2022, only one session took place in July, focusing on contemporary art.
It appeared that with the easing of social and political crises, the auction would once again be held biannually. However, in the year 2023, the Tehran Auction surpassed its previous records, conducting its 17th, 18th, and 19th editions within a single year, thus marking the unprecedented achievement of holding three auctions in one year.
The 17th Tehran Auction, featuring modern and contemporary art, took place in July, the 18th edition with focus on contemporary art (online) in December, and the 19th edition, dedicated to classical and modern Iranian art, was held in February 2023. Moreover, last year's Tehran Auction not only differed in the number of times it was held within a single year compared to previous cycles but also experienced a distinctive approach in its 18th edition by employing an online method, setting it apart from the earlier sessions.
The 18th Tehran Auction was distinguished by yet another difference. In this session, there was a notable increase in participation by the young, or rather, emerging artists. It is essential to mention that the inclusion of emerging artists in auctions is not a common occurrence, and prior to this, their presence in Tehran Auction was rare, with only a few exceptions.
Artchart, in a separate report, has revisited the presence of young artists in the 2023 auctions. In its analysis, it has identified five artists born in the 1990s whose works were sold for the first time at the Tehran Auction. The names of these artists, listed according to sales volume, include: Hossein Mohammadi, Barana Saadat and Hamed Norouzi. Zahra Sedri and Hamoon Alipoor have jointly achieved the fourth rank in terms of sales volume.
Galleries Revived
Beyond the surge in Tehran Auction's activities in 2023, another sector intertwined with the art market is the galleries, which last year reverted to their customary rhythm. However, in comparison to the auctions, the reopening of galleries or the staging of exhibitions proceeded at a more measured pace.
While 2022 saw a temporary pause in the operations of many local galleries, 2023 marked a revival with galleries resuming activities and organizing an increased number of exhibitions.
The number of exhibitions held in 2023 saw a 20% increase compared to its preceding year. Yet, casting a glance back to the statistics of 2021, when the galleries' activities flowed in their usual course, we discern that the count of exhibitions in 2023 has diminished by 28% relative to two years prior.
A more in-depth examination of the galleries' activities is presented in the following section of this article, accompanied by statistics and charts for analysis.
Some of the Most Important Solo Exhibitions
Considering the references made above, this section has compiled a list of important exhibitions in the year 2023. Although it should be kept in mind that addressing the names of all the arranged showcases in Iran last year is beyond the scope of this text, for this reason, the list below is limited to a selection of solo exhibitions.
Should you wish to explore further, you may click on the name of any exhibition to visit its page.
- "Immortals of Kambiz Dermabakhsh" Exhibition, Hoom Center Gallery
- "I Am Bamdad" Exhibition, featuring works by Maryam Zandi, Dena Gallery
- "Re-exhibit Project #3: Siah-mashgh", showcasing artworks by Alireza Sepahbod, 009821 Projects
- "A Review of the Works of Master Hossein Mahjoubi" Exhibition, Cama Gallery
- "Aras" Exhibition, presenting the works of Ali Golstaneh, Azad Art Gallery
- Sirak Melkonian's Art Exhibition, Far Gallery
- "Euphoria in the Desert" Exhibition, featuring artworks by Ahmad Vakili, 009821 Projects
- "Golestan Is My Dream " Exhibition, showcasing the art of Gizella Varga Sinai, Hoo Gallery
- Mohammad Ebrahim Jafari's Art Exhibition, Hoor Gallery
- Arman Yaghoobpour's Art Exhibition, Artibition Gallery
- Bahram Dabiri's Art Exhibition, Sohrab Gallery
- "In Memory of Parviz Kalantari" Exhibition, Art Center Gallery
- "Game” Exhibition, featuring artworks by Mohammad Hossein Maher, Dastan +2 Gallery
- "Memories and Forgetfulness" Exhibition, featuring artworks by Masoumeh Mozaffari, Lajevardi Foundation
Statistics and Figures of 2023
The Performance of the Iranian Art Market in the Past 12 Months
In 2023, the total sales of modern and contemporary Iranian art in all auction houses reached $17.4 million, experiencing a 71% positive growth compared to the year 2022. The reason for the negative growth rate of the Iranian art market in 2022 was the absence of one edition of Tehran Auction.
The negative impacts of socio-political events and economic recession in the year 2022 brought the total sales of Iranian artists' works at auctions to $10.2 million, which represents a 37% negative growth rate compared to the previous year (2021) (Table 1).
and the Annual Growth Rate (2020-2023).
In 2023, nearly 550 Iranian artists participated in auctions, presenting approximately 850 artworks. Out of these 850 pieces, more than 570 were successfully sold. This remarkable achievement means that Iranian artists managed to sell over 65% of their works in the auctions held during 2023.
This level of sales is consistent with the past four years, and no significant change has been observed in this trend. Approximately 33% of the artworks offered in the auctions of 2023 were sold within the estimated price range. This indicates that the majority of Iranian artists' works tend to sell within the anticipated estimate range.
It should be noted that this case applies to the artworks sold in the past four years, with the exception of the year 2022 (Table 2).
60% of the total $17.4 million generated from the sale of Iranian artworks across all auctions was accrued solely from Iran's premier art auction, Tehran Auction. Following Iran, the two countries that have had the largest share in the sales of Iranian art are, respectively, the United Kingdom (20%) and the United States (9%)(Chart1).
in the Sale of Iranian Artists' Works (2023).
The genre of Painting (Painting + Calligraphy Painting), with a total of $14.8 million, holds the largest share of sales among Iranian artworks sold in auctions. Following that, sculpture, collage, and photography are the most popular artistic genres among the sold Iranian works (Table 3).
Highest-Valued Art Pieces
The most expensive artwork sold in the auctions of 2023 belongs to Sohrab Sepehri. Other works are listed in (Table 4).
Sold for $432,500 at the 17th Tehran Auction.
Top Earning Artists
In 2023, Manoucher Yektai emerged as the top-selling Iranian artist, with total sales reaching $1.8 million. Following closely behind was Sohrab Sepehri, who, with a slight margin, secured the second position among Iran's best-selling artists with sales amounting to $1.7 million. Claiming the third spot in Iran's art market was Hossein Zendehroudi, with sales of $1.1 million. Among these distinguished artists, only Sepehri's works experienced a 100% sales rate (Table 5).
Key Insights
- Of the $17.4 million generated in 2023, $12 million (70%) was earned by the top twenty best-selling Iranian artists.
- In terms of the number of artworks sold at auctions, Manoucher Yektai, Masoud Arabshahi, and Sadegh Tabrizi have respectively had the most pieces sold. However, Sohrab Sepehri, Hossein Zendehroudi, and Parviz Tanavoli, with fewer works sold, rank second to fifth among the top-selling Iranian artists. This indicates that the prices for works by Sepehri, Zendehroudi, and Tanavoli are considerably higher than those of Yektai and Arabshahi.
- Among the top twenty best-selling Iranian artists, only three women's names are notable: Monir Farmanfarmaian, Maysha Mohamedi, and Farideh Lashai. Intriguingly, Maysha Mohamedi, an artist of Iranian descent residing in America, who ranks 13th among the top-selling Iranian artists, saw her works auctioned for the first time in the year 2023.
- The youngest artist among the top twenty best-selling Iranian artists in the year 2023 is Mehdi Ghadyanloo, born in 1981. Ghadyanloo's work 'Exploration of the Sun' stands as the tenth most expensive sold piece by Iranian artists in the year 2023.
Gallery Overview
The Number of Exhibitions Held in the Capital from 2021 to 2023
According to recorded data, approximately 100 galleries were active in Tehran in the year 2023, hosting over 720 group and solo exhibitions. However, this number represents a 28% decrease compared to the year 2021. Interestingly, it also marks a 20% increase from the year 2022, indicating a resurgence of exhibition activities in Tehran. Despite this positive trend, the frequency of exhibitions has not yet returned to the preclosure levels of the year 2021 (Table 6).
Exhibition Dynamics Across Diverse Cities (2023)
Reflecting on the registered data, over 30 galleries across 15 cities in Iran (excluding Tehran) have embarked on exhibition activities, orchestrating approximately 150 exhibitions (Table 6).
Held in Tehran and Other Cities in 2023.
Comparative Analysis of the Number of Exhibitions Held by City (2023)
Hosting over 720 exhibitions, Tehran firmly establishes itself as the epicenter of Iran's cultural and artistic endeavors. Isfahan claims the runner-up position with approximately 50 showcases. Following in the footsteps of these cultural hubs are Kashan, Shiraz, Bandar-e Anzali, Mashhad, Tabriz, Rasht, and Bandar-e Mahshahr, all of which are recognized as the most artistically active cities in Iran (Chart 2).
The Most Active Galleries (2023)
Statistics of Gallery Activities in the Capital and Other Cities Based on the Number of Exhibitions (2023)
based on the number of exhibitions (2023)
The Capital
From among the 100 active galleries in Tehran, O Gallery is named the most active gallery in Tehran, hosting close to 30 exhibitions. Galleries such as 009821, Saless, Artibition, Homa, and Soo Contemporary, with more than 20 exhibitions, are among the other busy art spaces in the center.
*The average number of exhibitions held in Tehran is 7.
Other Cities
Among the more than 30 active galleries outside the capital, Aknoon Gallery (Isfahan) is considered one of the busiest galleries in the country in 2023, with close to 30 exhibitions alongside O Gallery. Galleries such as Choom (Bandar-e Anzali), Safavi (Isfahan), and Hengam (Mashhad) are other exhibition platforms that have had continuous activities with more than 10 exhibitions in 2023.
*The average number of exhibitions held in other cities is 4.
Iranian Artists' Achievements in Global Auctions
The sales of works by Iranian artists in international auction houses are calculated at 6.2 million dollars for the year 2023; this figure is less than the total sales achieved in the previous two years (2021-2022). According to the data recorded in the Artchart database, the sales rate of works by Iranian artists has reached 73%, which, even with positive growth compared to the previous two years (2021-2022), indicates that the works have been sold at lower prices (the average price of the works is $36,000) (Table 7).
in international auction houses (2020-2023).
Out of the 236 works presented at international auctions in the year 2023, 91 works were offered at Sotheby's auction, although Christie's auction house has shown better performance in terms of total and sales rate. This auction, with 55 works offered and 50 sold, had a sales rate of 90% and achieved the highest total sales in international auctions with 2.4 million dollars. This could indicate that Iranian artists had a higher chance of selling at Christie's, and the works were hammered at higher prices (Table 8).
Tehran Auction
Tehran Auction held three auctions in 2023 offering of 313 works, and succeeded in selling 294 works (a sales rate of 93.9%). The total sales of Tehran Auction in the year 2023 are calculated at 10.4 million dollars. The average price of the works in these three rounds of Tehran Auction is $35,000 (Table 9).
A Few Points
- The 17th Tehran Auction was the first auction of Tehran Auction in the year 2023. This auction achieved a total sale of 214 billion tomans, equivalent to 4.3 million dollars, which represents a growth of +77.8% compared to the previous period (Table 9)."
- The 18th Tehran Auction, or the first online Tehran Auction which focused more on emerging artists and female artists, experienced a negative growth compared to the previous period and achieved a total sale of 1.2 million dollars.
- The 19th Tehran Auction in February, the last auction of Tehran Auction in the year 2023, saw a growth of +293% compared to the previous period, with sales of 4.8 million dollars.
in the year 2023
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