Prints of Persia

Iranian-born Tulsan facilitates U.S. debut for artist cousins

Born in Iran but raised in the U.S., Shirin Zakerion always knew she had a knack for creative pursuits. But it wasn’t until a trip to her homeland last year that she finally discovered the roots of her creativity. Zakerion, a hairstylist and owner of aes•thet•ic hair & beauty in Tulsa, met extended family in Iran she had only heard stories about— including artist brothers Farshad, Arash and Farzad Ashkar. 

Farshad is a graphic artist, Arash is a photographer and mosaic artist, and Farzad is a photographer and graphic artist. During her time in Iran, Zakerion got to know the brothers and marveled at their artistic talent — and she was often amazed at how well-known they were in a country with such a rich artistic heritage.

“Everywhere we went, people knew them,” she said.

Despite their notoriety in Iran, it has long been the Ashkar brothers’ dream to have their art displayed in an American gallery, and cousin Zakerion has become a wish-granter, securing them an exhibition at Colour Gallery, 1532 S. Harvard Ave., which will debut “Iran: The Hidden Beauty,” on Jan. 11 from 6-9 p.m. and present the exhibit throughout January.

“They just want people to see their art,” Zakerion said. “Iran itself is so beautiful and has so much to offer as a country.”

In one of Arash’s photographs, the isolation pulsates — a man is sitting a chair, facing away from the camera wearing a white suit. The sulking figure, rendered in stark black and white, is holding a balloon in a gray field of haze. The image connotes loneliness, depression and despair but remains captivating.

Farzad has a fascination with astronomy, Zakerion said, and specializes in combining night photography with graphical elements to create wondrous images of the night sky. Farshad specializes in poster art. 

The show has a quasi-political bent; it doesn’t outwardly speak out against the Iranian government, but evidence of political influence can be traced through themes of seclusion in the
artwork.

“Iran is a lonely, forgotten country,” she said. “People are still living their day to day lives, and they still have passions and aspirations. But because of what the government is doing, they can’t get it out — they don’t have the same opportunities to have exposure like we do.”

Perhaps unfortunately, the safest and most secure way to transport the artwork to Tulsa was by digital means. Although not illegal, the brothers had no assurance the work would make it to Tulsa if mailed, and they didn’t want to risk losing it. Zakerion will print and frame the art, and will represent her cousins at the show, where more than 20 works will be displayed and available for sale.

The show really isn’t about appreciating the landscape of the country; the brothers reveal the beauty of the Iranian spirit beyond the veneer the government has created.