Shiva Zahed Gallery in Istanbul Offers Platform for Iranian Artists Amid US-Iran Tensions
The Shiva Zahed Gallery, which opened in Istanbul's Pera district in February, aims to provide a platform for Iranian contemporary artists facing challenges due to sanctions and travel restrictions. The gallery's inaugural exhibition, Echoes, features works by installation artist Shaqayeq Arabi and Fereydoun Ave, a prominent figure in Iranian contemporary art. The gallery's opening coincided with the onset of a US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has created uncertainty for the gallery's operations. Founder Shiva Zahed, who transitioned from a medical career to the arts, seeks to bridge the gap between Iranian artists and the international art scene. Despite a recent two-week ceasefire agreement announced by President Trump, ongoing travel disruptions and communication blackouts continue to pose challenges for the gallery and its artists. 
