Pezeshknia’s Book of Painting Unveiled

TEHRAN. (Iranart) – A book of paintings by the late artist Houshang Pezeshknia (1917-1972) was unveiled October 28, at Shahrivar Art Gallery in Tehran.

Published forty years after his death by Nazar Publication, the book ‘Hamsafar-e Baad’ (Companion of the wind), contains a wide range of Pezeshknia’s paintings, although only one fourth of the prolific artist’s works are in the book, Honaronline reported.

Pezeshknia is a pioneer of modernist painting in Iran. He is better known for his bold strokes and angular lines, depicting themes such as loneliness, desolation and agitation.

His usual subjects were ordinary folks in cafes, workers and the downtrodden. He usually searched for Iranian identity outside the cities and spent considerable time in rural areas, particularly in southern Iran.

It is believed that the artist was not appreciated as would have been expected during his lifetime.

The book launch was attended by Mahmoudreza Bahmanpour, head of Nazar publication, and Siamak Delzadeh whose article on Pezeshknia and his works’ analysis is also included in the book.  

To mark the 100th birth anniversary of the artist, Shahrivar gallery has been showcasing 30 of his artworks, lent to the gallery by Pezeshknia’s family and art collectors.

The gallery is located at No. 9, Hormuz Alley, North Khazar Street, Elahieh neighborhood.