FINANCIAL TIMES – NICK FOULKES OCTOBER 29 2021

Costa del Surreal: the Málaga school of artists

How Picasso’s birthplace became a burgeoning arts hub once again

Earlier this year I found myself sitting in a pick-up truck, watching nervously as my shaven-headed driver launched the elderly vehicle over the brow of a hill and down the side of a ravine that was rather steeper than I was entirely comfortable with. Reaching the bottom of the valley, and up another steep incline, we arrived at a gated compound – the architect had clearly learned his trade by studying Mad Max films, and seemed to have been aiming at a “fortified jungle hideout” aesthetic. Add howling dogs, subtract mobile signal and, had I not also been in the company of art adviser Fabien Fryns, I might have begun to fear for my safety.

Excerpt from the Financial Times – Written by Nick Foulkes OCTOBER 29 2021

Read full article in the Financial Times

KAYHAN LIFE – BY RAWAA TALASS

Marbella-Based Gallerist Sholeh Abghari Promotes Iranian Art in Spain

How Picasso’s birthplace became a burgeoning arts hub once again

Sholeh Abghari

The art dealer Sholeh Abghari was born and raised in Tehran, and developed an interest in painting and collecting art from an early age.

She studied art history in Paris and art business in London, before setting up her eponymous gallery in the upscale Golden Mile area of Marbella, Spain in 2019.

Kayhan Life joined Abghari for a conversation at her gallery in Marbella, where she sat in front of a huge three-panel painting by Shahriar Ahmadi. She spoke of her move to Spain, Marbella’s art scene, and her passion for exhibiting Iranian artists.

What brought you to Spain in the first place?

I came here because we always had a summer place with my family. In 2017 or 2018, I met my husband here and we decided to stay. We started a family. I was always into art dealing. My husband told me: “Why don’t you get a place of your own?” I said Marbella wasn’t that cultural, it wasn’t my market. He really pushed me, and I listened to him. We found this place, immediately took it, and I started.

It’s true that Marbella is not a cultural hotspot, and is more of a resort. Do people here know much about art from Iran?

There are some people who know, believe it or not — for example, Belgians. At the gallery opening party, I organized an Iranian show and titled it ‘Iran Contemporary’ on purpose, because I wanted to focus on Iranian art. I showcased around 12 pieces from different generations. They were all inspired by classical Iranian art forms, such as calligraphy, poetry, and architecture.

People here are very international. They have different tastes and opinions. We had a very big opening: 300 people came.

What I learned was that it was a little too soon for this market to launch a 100 percent Iranian art show. I then adapted to the market, because Marbella is a Miami-style market. But I always make sure that I work with Iranian artists.

Why is that important you?

First of all, I’m Iranian. I definitely believe in the Iranian market. There are so many good Iranian artists in Iran who, because of the situation now, cannot come to international art fairs. So I work with galleries in Iran to help present their artists’ work in Europe or in any other market abroad. I just want to show the talents in my country, because for me, it is a fantastic country.

I don’t want Middle Eastern art to be for the Middle East only, you know? I want Middle Eastern art for everywhere. Art, itself, is very international. You cannot say it’s American, Japanese, French — art has one language.

Sholeh Abghari with Shahriar Ahmadi

Would you say that there’s an art scene here in Marbella?

Yes. There are several galleries here, and we do a gallery weekend in November to which we invite museum curators, directors of other galleries, people in the art industry in Spain. We have created an art scene, but it’s definitely not the same crowd as in London. It’s a young market, and we’re trying to educate the viewers in Marbella.

Where are your collectors from?

The Spanish market is a little different than other markets that I work with. The Spanish like to collect Spanish artists. So far, I’ve never had a Spanish collector, but I’ve had a lot of Germans and Belgians, people from the UAE, and a lot of Iranians.

Can you share your future plans for the gallery?

There is an artist I’m really investing my time in: Darius Yektai, who is the son of Manoucher Yektai. He lives in America and we’re planning to do great shows with him here.

Your daughter is with you here at the gallery. Does she have a connection with the art on display?

Yes — she and my other daughter have a connection because I also have a collection at home. I bring them to the gallery because I like them to be involved. It’s up to them what they want to be later on, but I think art, especially the history of art, is very important for everybody to be familiar with.

Excerpt from the Kayhan Life – Written by Rawaa Talass November 9, 2021

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INSTAGRAM – BY INSPIRING IRANIANS

inspiring iranians

Marbella, Spain is a destination for anyone who values the wonder of seaside living and the tranquility of a peaceful, happy town. However, for Sholeh Abghari (@sholehabgharigallery) – who founded Sholeh Abghari Gallery on the Golden Mile alongside her husband, Tarek Beshara – one thing was missing: the enriching gift of art.

A Sotheby’s graduate specialized in Art Business, Sholeh has changed the cultural landscape of Marbella, bringing high-level Iranian and international art to its shores. In addition to presenting temporary exhibitions featuring work by internationally renowned artists, Sholeh also holds numerous cultural events, with a view to making art a key pillar of our leisure pursuits.