KHOR Art Initiative
"Khor" refers to a branch of the sea that extends into the land. A KHOR is essentially a small bay, a sensitive tidal zone with its own unique nature and ecosystem. This indigenous term symbolizes Middle Eastern art, particularly that of Iran, representing a cultural-geographical region that, while not vast, is both unique and profoundly influential in the world.
The KHOR Art Initiative is a biennial artistic call, support, and competition organized by SARAI Gallery. It features a panel of judges composed of prominent regional and international art professionals and experts. The KHOR aims to create a unique opportunity for indigenous artists to showcase their works at the highest levels, free from the costs and complexities of participating in international calls. Through this process, artists can familiarize themselves with the latest standards of presenting and promoting their artistic activities. Participation in this event is free and open to all Iranian artists residing inside and outside of Iran. In addition to the standard monetary prize, selected KHOR artists benefit from being introduced to a wider range of art audiences. Some winners of previous KHOR editions have made significant progress, succeeding in bridging the gap between obscurity and recognition of their names and art in the top regional and international art scenes within just one or two years.
In 2020, the KHOR Art Initiative was launched amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to organize an event with significant objectives, despite the unprecedented nature of the situation and its surrounding challenges, at a time we believed would have the greatest impact on our artistic community. Fortunately, in the shortest time imaginable, a group of distinguished international jurors convened, and we witnessed an enthusiastic and encouraging reception from artists across the country. For more than half of the jurors - representing a wide range of art professionals - this was their first opportunity to become acquainted with contemporary Iranian art. Since then, over the course of four editions, the KHOR Art Initiative has continued to evolve, transform, and expand. These achievements include the refinement and advancement of the judging process, the physical exhibition of selected KHOR artists, and the introduction of dozens of new and brilliant figures in the field of Iranian, regional, and international visual arts. (For more information about past KHOR events and to familiarize yourself with the jurors and winners, please visit the gallery's website).
This year, we are proud to witness the fifth edition of the KHOR Art Initiative. KHOR 2025 will be held in line with the long-term vision of this event and with our continued efforts to present an event in the best possible way and with the highest standards. It is worth mentioning that KHOR 2023 was our last annual event; from this year on, the KHOR Art Initiative will continue as a biennial art event. As in the past, we eagerly await receiving your valuable works, dear artists."
"Khor" refers to a branch of the sea that extends into the land. A KHOR is essentially a small bay, a sensitive tidal zone with its own unique nature and ecosystem. This indigenous term symbolizes Middle Eastern art, particularly that of Iran, representing a cultural-geographical region that, while not vast, is both unique and profoundly influential in the world.
The KHOR Art Initiative is a biennial artistic call, support, and competition organized by SARAI Gallery. It features a panel of judges composed of prominent regional and international art professionals and experts. The KHOR aims to create a unique opportunity for indigenous artists to showcase their works at the highest levels, free from the costs and complexities of participating in international calls. Through this process, artists can familiarize themselves with the latest standards of presenting and promoting their artistic activities. Participation in this event is free and open to all Iranian artists residing inside and outside of Iran. In addition to the standard monetary prize, selected KHOR artists benefit from being introduced to a wider range of art audiences. Some winners of previous KHOR editions have made significant progress, succeeding in bridging the gap between obscurity and recognition of their names and art in the top regional and international art scenes within just one or two years.
In 2020, the KHOR Art Initiative was launched amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to organize an event with significant objectives, despite the unprecedented nature of the situation and its surrounding challenges, at a time we believed would have the greatest impact on our artistic community. Fortunately, in the shortest time imaginable, a group of distinguished international jurors convened, and we witnessed an enthusiastic and encouraging reception from artists across the country. For more than half of the jurors - representing a wide range of art professionals - this was their first opportunity to become acquainted with contemporary Iranian art. Since then, over the course of four editions, the KHOR Art Initiative has continued to evolve, transform, and expand. These achievements include the refinement and advancement of the judging process, the physical exhibition of selected KHOR artists, and the introduction of dozens of new and brilliant figures in the field of Iranian, regional, and international visual arts. (For more information about past KHOR events and to familiarize yourself with the jurors and winners, please visit the gallery's website).
This year, we are proud to witness the fifth edition of the KHOR Art Initiative. KHOR 2025 will be held in line with the long-term vision of this event and with our continued efforts to present an event in the best possible way and with the highest standards. It is worth mentioning that KHOR 2023 was our last annual event; from this year on, the KHOR Art Initiative will continue as a biennial art event. As in the past, we eagerly await receiving your valuable works, dear artists."
Features and Objectives
1. The KHOR Art Initiative is a nationwide open call specifically for painting and drawing works, and participation is free and open to all Iranian artists both within Iran and abroad. Furthermore, continuing the practice of the previous year, artists actively engaged in other artistic mediums such as sculpture, installation art, NFT (digital) art, etc., are invited to submit samples of their work in the "Artist Practice" section during the registration process.
2. In line with our commitment to promoting Iranian art on an international scale, the jury panel for KHOR 2025, as in previous years, will consist of a diverse group of esteemed figures in the field of contemporary visual arts, both regionally and globally.
3. All stages of registration and judging for the KHOR Art Initiative will be conducted online. The selection process will take place in two phases: initially, each juror will review the artworks based on a set of shared criteria, and subsequently, the works of the artists advancing to the second phase will be collectively evaluated by the jury panel.
4. The works of the selected artists will be showcased in an online group exhibition, and the three winners will be awarded prizes as follows:
• First place: A cash prize of 300,000,000 Rials.
• Second place: A cash prize of 150,000,000 Rials.
• Third place: A cash prize of 100,000,000 Rials.
In line with Khor's supportive nature, those indigenous Middle Eastern artists who currently reside in Iran or certain Middle Eastern countries and meet specific criteria will be eligible to participate in this year's call for submissions. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact us for further information."
1. The KHOR Art Initiative is a nationwide open call specifically for painting and drawing works, and participation is free and open to all Iranian artists both within Iran and abroad. Furthermore, continuing the practice of the previous year, artists actively engaged in other artistic mediums such as sculpture, installation art, NFT (digital) art, etc., are invited to submit samples of their work in the "Artist Practice" section during the registration process.
2. In line with our commitment to promoting Iranian art on an international scale, the jury panel for KHOR 2025, as in previous years, will consist of a diverse group of esteemed figures in the field of contemporary visual arts, both regionally and globally.
3. All stages of registration and judging for the KHOR Art Initiative will be conducted online. The selection process will take place in two phases: initially, each juror will review the artworks based on a set of shared criteria, and subsequently, the works of the artists advancing to the second phase will be collectively evaluated by the jury panel.
4. The works of the selected artists will be showcased in an online group exhibition, and the three winners will be awarded prizes as follows:
• First place: A cash prize of 300,000,000 Rials.
• Second place: A cash prize of 150,000,000 Rials.
• Third place: A cash prize of 100,000,000 Rials.
In line with Khor's supportive nature, those indigenous Middle Eastern artists who currently reside in Iran or certain Middle Eastern countries and meet specific criteria will be eligible to participate in this year's call for submissions. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact us for further information."
The Jury:
Jawad Zia / Vida Heydari / Mila Askarova
Jawad Zia / Vida Heydari / Mila Askarova
Event Timeline:
• Registration Opens: April 21, 2025
• Registration Deadline: June 21, 2025
• Announcement of Shortlisted Artists: August 22, 2025
• Online Exhibition Opening: August 30, 2025
• Online Exhibition Closing and Announcement of Final Winners: September 30, 2025
If you have any questions or encounter any problems during the registration process, please contact the gallery by email or telephone:
Phone number: +98 (021) 28424712
Email: Khor@saraigallery.com
website: http://www.saraigallery.com
Phone number: +98 (021) 28424712
Email: Khor@saraigallery.com
website: http://www.saraigallery.com
-
Jurors
