Financial Tribune- An exhibition of 163 artworks by the most sought-after Iranian, Arab and Turkish artists will be held in Dubai March 16-18, and then auctioned on March 18 at Christie�s upcoming sale of modern and contemporary art in the Middle East.

Among the exhibits are 49 pieces by 32 Iranian artists which will be presented with works from Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Turkey, Honaronline reported.

The Iranian art section unravels the rich cultural heritage encapsulated by Iran�s dominant talents of the 20th and 21st century. The highest-estimated work in this section belongs to the renowned poet and painter Sohrab Sepehri (1928-1980).

The untitled work is a large semi-abstract minimalist composition of trees, estimated at $220,000-$280,000. Another work by Sepehri is also presented ($50,000-$70,000).

Another prominent work is �The Shadow of Stars�, a painting by Iranian-French artist Charles-Hossein Zenderoudi, 80, which has decorated the auction catalogue�s front cover as well. It is estimated between $200,000 and $250,000.

Zenderoudi�s fascination with astronomy and cosmology is exquisitely expressed in his intricate work, one of the most significant and rare compositions of the 1960s to be offered at auction.

Two more works by him, one estimated for $180,000-220,000 and the other $100,000-150,000, will also be presented at the auction.

Paintings by Ali Banisadr, 41, are also among the valued works. One of them titled �The light� covers the back of the catalogue and is estimated for $150,000-$200,000.

His works are fraught with fantastical and colorful landscapes. His other work �The Sun/Son� has a base price of $80,000-$120,000.

Farhad Moshiri, 54, has three works. Although different in style and theme, all his three paintings have a base price of $100,000-$150,000.

Described as �Andy Warhol of the Middle East�, Moshiri creates a link between the traditional Iranian and western art in his works.

Sculptures From Heech Series

There are sculptures from Heech series by the renowned sculptor Parviz Tanavoli, 80. A collection of four small works are priced at $60,000-$80,000 and a large �Heech and Chair� is estimated at $50,000-$70,000.

The Iranian-Armenian artist Sirak Melkonian, 86, has the most number of works at the auction with six pieces.

A pioneer of Iranian modern art, he is famous for his introspective and abstract landscapes. His works will be presented under the title of �Master of Landscape� and are priced between $8,000 and $70,000.

Three calligraphy paintings by Faramarz Pilaram (1937-1982) will also be auctioned. They are estimated for $15,000-$80,000.

The other Iranian artists whose works will go under the hammer include Monir Farmanfarmaian, Koorosh Shishegaran, Mohammed Ehsai, Masoud Arabshahi, Bahman Mohassess, Reza Derakhshani, Nasrollah Afjei, Behjat Sadr, Farideh Lashai, Manouchehr Yektai, Shadi Ghadirian and Hossein Kazemi among others.