Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians is the new exhibition at the Asia Society on Park Avenue and 70th Street in Manhattan. It’s a strikingly good show of contemporary Iranian art assembled by Mohammed Afkhami, a young, well-born Iranian whose family’s fortune and art collection were wiped out after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. With his own fortune made from investing, a passion for art still intact, and good taste, Afkhami gives us quite a treat. Twenty-three artists are represented in many media. The Asia Society is a classy, welcoming place, so I knew I’d see a quality show displayed in style.
The Afkhami collection is foundational for understanding the art of Iran, and presentation helps. The art’s arranged with a light, conversational touch and rhythm, and that’s the work of a good curator — in this case, Fereshteh Daftari — blessed with the Asia Society’s very nice galleries but also confident enough to let the art do its thing.
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