On Thursday, October 20, 2016, the South Asia Center’s Future of Iran Initiative hosted a panel discussion moderated by the Future of Iran Initiative’s Acting Director Barbara Slavin featuring Mehdi Ghadyanloo, Iranian artist and muralist, and David Furchgott, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of International Arts and Artists, to discuss Iran’s public art scene. The panelists discussed the effects of sanctions on Iranian artists as well as the problems faced by Iranian artists who seek entry into international art circles and collaboration with other artists. Despite these obstacles, the panelists agreed, Iran’s growing art scene presents enormous potential for non-political exchanges between Iran and the international community.

Image: Barbara Slavin introducing the panelists, Mehdi Ghadyanloo and David Furchgott, at the Public Art in Tehran event at the Atlantic Council