Morteza Khakshoor, The Theorist, 2021, Painting, 43 x 59.5 cm

Courtesy: SARAI Gallery

SARAI Gallery is a contemporary art space specialising in Middle Eastern art. Founded in 2018 by Hassan Saradipour, the gallery supports both emerging and established artists from the region, with a particular emphasis on Iranian and Pakistani talent. Through a carefully curated programme of exhibitions, collaborations, and publications, SARAI enhances its artists’ international visibility, fostering recognition and appreciation.

The gallery has actively participated in leading international art fairs, including Art Dubai, The Armory Show, KIAF, Art Busan, Asia Now, Abu Dhabi Art, Untitled Art Miami Beach, Expo Chicago, and Art Brussels. This has established SARAI as one of the youngest galleries showcasing emerging talents on such competitive platforms. Notably, the gallery received the Presents Booth Prize at The Armory Show in September 2021 and has been a prominent representative of the Middle East at international art fairs in South Korea over recent years.

SARAI Gallery is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant art ecosystem beyond its core exhibition programme. It has launched several initiatives to support artists and enrich the art community. The Khor Art Initiative, a biennial art prize judged by international experts, and the Observation Projects, particularly the exhibitions in SAR Space, highlight emerging talent. SAR Space is specifically designed to support artists who lack previous exhibition experience.

Under its curatorial projects, Dot. Projects showcases contemporary Iranian art, while Arzhang Projects focuses on works influenced by Iranian miniature painting. Pasitigris Projects spotlights artists from Southern Iranian cultures, and Karavan Projects fosters collaborations with regional and global partners to expand the gallery’s reach beyond its physical location. Additionally, Hatch Projects aims to preserve and revitalise the modern and postmodern art heritage of the Middle East over the past century, introducing it to a new generation.

Demonstrating its commitment to both global reach and local engagement, SARAI Gallery has adopted a multi-locational presence. In addition to its original location in Mahshahr, the gallery opened an exhibition space in Tehran in 2024 and established an office in Los Angeles dedicated to US and international affairs.