Sarai means 'house' or 'palace' in Persian
SARAI Gallery (SARADIPOUR) specializes in Middle Eastern contemporary art. Founded by Hassan Saradipour in 2018, SARAI provides a platform for emerging and young regional talents including Iranian and Pakistani artists internationally by organizing various events to showcase their artworks. Moreover, since 2020, our gallery has presented Khor Art Initiative, an annual prize for local artists, reviewed by a high-profile international jury.
SARAI Gallery has participated in prestigious art fairs around the world, such as Art Dubai 2020, 2021, and 2023, The Armory Show 2021-22, KIAF 2021-22, Abu Dhabai Art 2022, Untitled Art Miami Beach 2022, Expo Chicago 2023 (Announced), and Art Brussels 2023 (Announced), making it one of the youngest galleries to appear on such a competitive scale, representing new talented artists virtually unknown outside of their home country. SARAI Gallery received the Presents Booth Prize during the Armory Show in September 2021 and has been the sole representative for Middle Eastern galleries in South Korean-based global art fairs for the past few years.
SARAI Gallery's main space for exhibitions is located in Mahshahr, Iran, where we host events all year round. Mahshahr is an historical city in southern Iran and Hassan Saradipour's hometown. As a cultural institution, we deliberately chose this location over bustling metropolises because we care about engaging both artists and audiences on a local level, and we believe regionalization plays a key role in introducing the rich and diverse ethnicities within the area.
At SARAI Gallery, we have defined two main projects to serve our vision: Pasitigris Projects focuses on artists coming from southern cultures, and under Karavan Projects, SARAI organizes collaborative shows with selected galleries and institutions at home, particularly in Tehran, as well as in major art capitals across the globe including Cromwell Place, London. Our LA-based office handles US and international affairs.
