Afshin Pirhashemi

Iran | 1974 - 2024
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About Afshin Pirhashemi
Afshin Pirhashemi is a distinguished contemporary Iranian artist renowned for his photorealistic artworks, prominently featuring themes centered on Iranian and Middle Eastern women.

Born in 1974, Pirhashemi began his artistic training under Babak Etminani before enrolling at the Islamic Azad University to pursue painting. However, he did not complete his studies, choosing instead to leave the university and later attending a three-month training course at the Academy of Arts in Rome, facilitated by a scholarship from the Italian government. His inaugural solo exhibition took place in 1990 at the Bamdad Gallery in Tehran. Over the years, Pirhashemi's focus has shifted towards the Persian Gulf countries, especially Dubai. Since 2012, he has primarily collaborated with Ayyam Gallery, with only sporadic exhibitions in Iran.

Commercially, Pirhashemi has achieved considerable success. His name frequently appears on prestigious lists such as Artprice and FIAK, ranking him among the world's best-selling artists. His accolades include winning the Sixth Iranian Painting Biennial Award in 2003 and selection for the Beijing Biennial in 2005.

Pirhashemi's artistic palette is often restricted to black and white, though he has incorporated red at various stages of his career. The narrative depth of his work shows a significant influence from cinema, notably evidenced in several paintings that feature characters like Don Corleone from Coppola’s "The Godfather." Renowned art historian Pakbaz has commented on Pirhashemi's approach, noting, "In his photorealistic paintings, Pirhashemi addresses the theme of womanhood with a mystical outlook. His recent works, typically set against a stark white background, seek to evoke a sense of eternity and grandeur. The mother figure symbolizes love and nurture, while also representing the earth and fertility. Yet, she remains a figure of struggle against oppression and inequality globally."

Pirhashemi himself reflects on his motivations and perspectives: "My greatest motivation is to explore this unique world through my art, portraying these narratives from a male perspective, and highlighting the multifaceted experiences of women."
The Most Expensive Artwork
ArtChart | Rapture by Afshin Pirhashemi
Rapture
Realized Price
At Auctions
First Attendance
1 October 2007
# Attendance
58
# Artworks
70
Average Realized Price
67,254 USD
Average Min Estimate
30,154 USD
Average Max Estimate
41,979 USD
Sell-through Rate
69.118%
Average Growth of Artwork Worth
65.555%
Timeline
All Art Fairs Auctions Exhibitions
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Articles
Women in Cars (2007), Rokni Haerizadeh.
Iranian Art of the 1990s and 2000s: Trends, Movements, and Market (Part Two) 24 July 2024
The 2000s and 2010s are considered pivotal decades in the landscape of Iranian art. During this period, new artistic approaches were introduced into the Iranian visual arts scene by both the public and private sectors. The art market also began to take an interest in Middle Eastern art, organizing the first auctions dedicated to these works. In the early auctions specifically focuse...
هیف قهرمان، بازار (1387).
A Review of Sotheby's and Millon's Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art Auctions in Spring 2024 1 May 2024
As we step into the spring of 2024, the Middle Eastern art auction season is in full bloom, maintaining its biannual rhythm with showcases in both autumn and spring. Two events of particular note occurred on April 25th, 2024, hosted by both Sotheby's & Millon. This marked the commencement of the year's inaugural Middle Eastern art auction, promising a captivating exploration of...