Statement:

Khor Art initiative

"Khor" (pronounced /xor/ or /kɔː/) is an inlet, a small gulf. It is a delicate tidal area with its own ecosystem. This native word for Middle Eastern estuaries is a symbol of middle eastern art, especially in Iran, which represents a unique and highly influential cultural-geological region in the world.///

Organized by SARAI Gallery (SARADIPOUR), Khor Art Initiative is a supportive and competitive open call reviewed remotely each year by a first-rate regional and world art expert jury panel.

Khor Art Prize is a free-entry event designed to provide local artists with the rare opportunity for world-class exposure by learning the latest criteria for self-presentation and having their work reviewed by an elite art jury. Besides the usual prize, being known to a greater audience and having their works exhibited, Khor's shortlisted artists enjoy the recognition of being associated with what is fast becoming established as a prestigious award in the region.

Some of Khor's previous winners have soared particularly high, going from obscurity to being represented by SARAI at top regional and world art venues within just a few years.

Khor Art Initiative was born amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran in May 2020. Despite all the challenges and lack of experience, we were determined to organize an event with major objectives in mind, when we thought it could prove most helpful for our art community.

On rather short notice, not only did we succeed in bringing together a group of elite international jurors but also were met with a warm welcome from artists from all across Iran.

For more than half of our jurors - who represent a wide range of roles in the world of art - this was the first chance to be exposed to Iranian art today.

Khor Art Initiative has since continued to steadily grow and evolve, including the development of a more elaborate selection process, holding curated physical exhibitions by selected artists, diversification of media submitted as part of each artist's practice, and, last but not least, the discovery and introduction of tens of fresh and exciting talents to the Iranian art scene and the art world community. (visit http://www.saraigallery.com to learn more about the past Khor Art Initiatives jury panels, winners, and related collaborations.)

Khor Art Initiative 2023 is now here. The Fourth Khor Art Prize will continue to follow the initiative's long-term goals as we strive to present the event with the highest standards.

Looking forward eagerly to another journey of discovery and celebration of talent, quality, and inspiration. Khor 2023 will mark the final annual event. There will not be any Khor events in 2024, and Khor Art Initiative will henceforth become a biennale with the next and 5th Khor scheduled to come back in 2025.

Shortlisted Artists:

Amin Hekmatpanah Dehkordi / Anahita Darabbeigi / Arezoo Shiravani / Ava Ghoreishi / Azadeh Sefidkaran / Bahar Didegah / Elnaz Mostafaee / Faezeh Zandieh / Farnaz Liravi / Fatemeh Ebrahimi / Fatemeh Marfavi / Fereshteh Torki / Gandom Amiri / Hadise Najminia / Hadiseh Emami / Haniyeh Hajjafari / Hassan Nozadian / Katayoun Moadelian / Lohrasb Bayat / Mahya Farahbakhsh / Maryam Baniasadi / Maryam Tavakoli Dastjerdi / Marzieh Tayebianpour / Masoud Roshdi / Nava Sabetimani / Sajad Gomar / Sara Nemati Hesar / Seyed Taher Mousavi / Shiva Khoshbakhtnezhad / Zohre Jafarabadi