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Iran unveils new Tanavoli book on Iranian salt bags

Iranian artist, Parviz Tanavoli

Iran has unveiled a new book by prominent artist Parviz Tanavoli, which introduces hand-woven bags used by nomadic Iranian tribes.

‘Salt Bags’ contains images of bags used mostly by Iranian shepherds to bring salt for their cattle or sheep grazing in pastures. The bilingual book has been released by Nazar publications.

Mainly woven by women, the bags are made of tough and durable material, and are adorned with various patterns and designs.

“A large part of our traditional art and architecture has been registered [by international organizations], but no one has paid any attention to our folkloric arts,” Tanavoli said during the unveiling ceremony of his new book at Tehran’s Art Lounge Gallery. “Folkloric arts are created by ordinary people and reflect their individual tastes,” he added. 

According to Tanavoli, the salt bags depicted in his book reflect the individual taste of their creators and that is why they all have different patterns and designs.

An example of Iranian nomadic salt bags

Parviz Tanavoli studied art at Milan's Brera Academy in 1959 and has taught sculpture at Tehran University and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. 

He has held numerous exhibitions in Iran, Austria, Italy, Germany, the US and the UK. His works have been displayed at international art centers such as the British Museum, Seoul's Olympic Park and New York's Museum of Modern Art. 

Tanavoli's works have received high bids in various international auctions such as Christie's 2009 Dubai auction, where his Wall and the Script received the highest bid, fetching USD 218,500.

London-based publisher I.B. Tauris is also set to release another new book by Tanavoli in January 2016.  The book is titled ‘European Women in Persian Houses: Western Images in Safavid and Qajar Iran’ and focuses on the image of European women as depicted in the paintings of Safavid and Qajar eras.

 

 


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