The Steps Gallery has mounted an exhibition of modern paintings by a group of young Iranian artists in the British capital of London.

Point of Departure: A New beginning in Iranian Contemporary Art displays modern paintings by Babak Roshani-Nejad, Reza Azimian and Adel Younesi, all of whom come from Iran's western city of Hamadan.

The event, which will run until Nov. 28, is the first international exhibition presenting works by artists coming from cities other than Tehran, Fars News Agency reported.

The event is organized in collaboration with Tehran's Asar Gallery and curated by Sotheby's Institute of Art graduate Satkeen Azizzadeh.

“Exhibiting contemporary art from the Middle East and Persia, is one of the regional and thematic priorities of the Steps Gallery curatorial line and strategy,” Mehr News Agency quoted Steps gallery's senior curator and Collectors Club manager Sidonio Costa as saying.

“The current exhibition is the first step in a prolonged and engaged effort to exhibit as much relevant fine contemporary art from the Middle East and Persia.”

Costa referred to the exhibition as being in line with the gallery's aims and policies, saying, “We believe that it will provide our gallery's collectors, clients and friends a great insight into life, social and cultural reality in Iran.”

TE/HGH