Mohammadreza Arab-Khazaeli wins Vista Contemporary Art Prize

Young Iranian artist Mohammadreza Arab-Khazaeli has won the first annual Vista Contemporary Art Prize, which was established by the Vista Gallery to praise the best artistic idea.

TEHRAN, (IRANART)- He  received his prize during a ceremony at Tehran’s Qasr Garden Museum on Monday. The director of the gallery, Parisa Pahlavan, and a large number of artists attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pahlavan said, “The appearance of the new generation and the development of the new media have driven us into a new world with a new visual atmosphere, all of which encouraged us to establish an award for new ideas in the world of contemporary art.”

She added that most of the designs were centering on paintings, installations, photos and video art projects.

The head of the jury, Behnam Kamrani, thanked the organizers and said, “When a gallery pays due attention to new ideas and establishes awards, it must be admired.

“The gallery owners, companies and private collectors must think of contemporary art and this movement can be a symbol for the public sector,” he added.

Veteran cartoonist Kambiz Derambaksh was also honored for his lifetime achievements.

The ceremony was ended with the handing of a check worth 300 million rials (about $8,000) to the winner to accomplish his new project in the gallery.