Siyah Qalam Award

The Siyah Qalam Award Festival aimed to create a dynamic space for dialogue and exhibition, bringing together numerous artists, each approaching contemporary Iranian painting with a unique perspective.
These approaches covered a wide spectrum: from artists who remained faithful to traditional techniques and themes, to those who utilized Iranian painting’s visual elements merely in a modern framework. Furthermore, works created with new technologies were showcased alongside those employing historical methods. This remarkable diversity and the strong presence of the young generation demonstrated the high potential of this movement within Iran’s contemporary art scene.
The Mohammad Siyah Qalam Award, as an open, independent dialogue platform—free from commercial competition—strives to provide a safe environment for presenting and critiquing artwork, thereby positioning Iranian painting not merely as a return to the past, but as an opportunity for rethinking and creative re-creation in today’s world.