Parviz Tanavoli – who has been widely recognised as the only Iranian artist to fully capture the duality and interplay of Iran’s pre-Islam and Islamic cultural identities – created a visual symbology through his sculptural work that would have a lasting impact on modernism in Iran.

The book examines the layering of both sacred and secular histories in Parviz Tanavoli’s work – an integration that is crucial to understanding the development of modern sculpture in Iran. It offers fresh perspectives on Tanavoli’s artistic practice. Contributing authors from diverse backgrounds examine his work through a range of research interests and perspectives, and show the breadth of his interdisciplinary practice – from painting and printmaking to ceramics and mixed media assemblages.