TRAILBLAZING MODERNISTS
TEHRAN / LA: THE AZARI COLLECTION
Sheila brought people together around cultural exchange; art show, performance, party, that was her style. her conviction was that culture is the truer representation of identity and intent, not political dictate or commercial paradigms.
There are indeed, many great collections that carry masterpieces and tell important cultural and historical stories. However, in considering this collection which is at once Iranian modern, but so very relevant through its depth and international appeal, it is important to articulate why it stands out from so many others. There are perhaps arguably three major elements that make a collection truly outstanding: a significant contribution to art historical understanding; clear globally understood thematic underpinnings and lastly, robust material research – the archive. This collection brings together all three. The deep insight and contribution to Iranian modern art, both in Iran and within the global context; Eric Azari’s memoirs and archival material gives us a direct glimpse into Sheila’s process, shedding light on her invaluable contributions. His recounting of her ground breaking journey breathes life into the movement, art and artists, and finally the broader universal themes it addresses – both implicit and direct, of the power of patronage, the beauty and joy of international dialogue, of community and creative spirit but also the inescapable understanding of life’s ebbs, flows and its sometimes painful deviations.
A product of Sheila’s vision and relentless dedication, the Azari Collection has become a capsule of modern Iranian art, from a time when the country’s artistic production was arguably at its most exciting.
Scenes of 60s Hollywood glamour, rock and roll and loud vibrant Bel Air parties stand against late-night Tehran dinners filled with artists, academics, statesmen and foreign dignitaries. Traditionally notions of East and West tend to bring to mind inherent differences, but beneath the obvious there also lies a world of shared hopes and dreams, pivotal epochs filled with common visions and intersections.
Such is the story of the Azari Collection, seemingly rooted in disparate sensibilities and environments, but in reality, born in that prescient space wherein known and unknown merge together to create something wholly new.
ERIC AND SHEILA, BEL AIR CALIFORNIA 1970
It is impossible to fully capture the depth of this collection within the confines of this text, but by framing it within a brief timeline of movements and events, punctuated with excerpts from Eric Azari’s memoir –we hope to bring to life this formidable collection.