Changiz Shahvagh (1933, Baku – 1996, Tehran) was a pioneering Iranian modernist painter and sculptor. After migrating to Tehran with his family as a child, he began his formal art education at the Tehran School of Fine Arts in 1952, initially focusing on ceramics. In 1957, he entered the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran to study painting. Shahvagh quickly emerged as a progressive artist with early exhibitions at Tehran’s Esthétique Gallery, alongside Koors Salashour. He showcased his first sculptures in 1959 at Abbasi Gallery and went on to exhibit his works widely both in Iran and internationally. Beyond his studio practice, Shahvagh played a vital institutional role in shaping Iran’s modern art movement. He actively participated in organizing five Tehran Biennials and co-founded the Takhte Jamshid and Saba galleries. His contributions to the third and fourth Tehran Biennials earned him recognition and a grant to study in Europe, where he spent time at the Cité des Arts in Paris. Later in life, Shahvagh taught at the Faculty of Art and Architecture of Islamic Azad University. Transitioning from figurative to abstract expression, his sculptural work was known for its raw, emotive force and experimental use of materials and textures. His works are housed in the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.
Education
1952 (13131): Entered Tehran School of Fine Arts (Painting major)
1957 (1336): Entered Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran (left academic education due to conflict with a professor)
Teaching and Institutional Activities
1958 (1337): Teaching at Teacher Training Complex
Late 1980s to early 1990s: Teaching at Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University
1989 (1368): Received First Degree Artistic Medal (equivalent to PhD)
Collaboration with Department of Fine Arts
Collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Director of Takht-e Jamshid Gallery
Co-founder of Saba and Takht-e Jamshid Galleries
Participation in Biennials and Major Exhibitions
1958 (1337): Collaborated with Marko Grigorian to organize the First Tehran Biennial
1958 (1337): Participated in First Tehran Biennial (White Palace – Sculpture “Tent”)
1960 (1339): Participated in Second Tehran Biennial
1962 (1341): Participated in Third Tehran Biennial (Abstract painting and sculpture “Woman”)
1963 (1342): Participated in Paris Biennial
1964 (1343): Participated in Fourth Tehran Biennial (Concrete sculpture)
1966 (1345): Participated in Fifth Tehran Biennial (one sculpture and one painting)
1975 (1354): Participated in the “Blue” group exhibition of free painters and sculptors (titled “Guest”)
1987 (1366): Participated in “Bloody Hajj Massacre” exhibition, selected by Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
1974 (1353): Participated in First International Tehran Art Exhibition (sculpture “Composition”)
Solo Exhibitions
1957 (1336): First solo exhibition (painting and sculpture) at Aesthetic Gallery
1958 (1337): Exhibition at Reza Abbasi Hall
1959 (1338): Exhibition at Farid Restaurant
1976 (1355): Exhibition at Carte Gallery (with introduction by Sirous Malek)
1987 (1366): Relief sculpture exhibition at Carpi Gallery
1988 (1367): Painting exhibition at Classic Gallery
1993 (1372): Exhibition titled “Changiz Shahvagh’s Latest Works” at Sa’dabad Gallery
2021 (1400): “Changiz Shahrokh: Works of Three Decades” at Dastan +2
Selected Group Exhibitions (Recent)
2021 (1400): “30 Works by 30 Artists” sculpture exhibition at Artibition
2024 (1402): “Modern Collector” at Artibition
2024 (1403): “New Year/New Vision” at Liam Gallery
2024 (1403): “Treasures 4” at Liam Gallery
2024 (1403): “Resize” at Artibition
2024 (1403): “Treasures 6” at Liam Gallery
2024 (1403): “Modern and Contemporary Collector” at Artibition
Other Activities
1972 (1351): Designed the cover for Music Magazine (Issue 135)
1964 (1343): Two-person exhibition with Kamran Katouzian
1968 (1347): Participated in National Iranian Oil Company exhibition (Abadan and Kharg Island)
1969 (1348): Residency at Paris House of Arts
Works in Collections
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
Georges Pompidou Center, Paris (donated by Pari Radpay)
