Iranian Artist Barred From Leaving Country Arrested for “Disturbing the Peace”

July 11th, 2016

Iranian artist Parviz Tanavoli is facing criminal charges in Tehran after being barred from leaving the country for a July 3rd talk at the British Museum.  “As certain elements of the Iranian regime push for closer relations with the West, other forces within the government push back. And often it is the artists, whose work is well known across Iran’s borders, who get caught in the crossfires,” says a source close to the artist. “As Iran tries to open up tourism and business channels to the West, such moves are chilling.” Read more at Art Newspaper