Past Continuous Tense by Babak Kazemi • Wondereur

1 an exclusive artwork

“IT HAPPENED on one of my bus trips between Ahvaz and Tehran. I was on the phone with a friend and I remember saying something like, ‘There’s this very beautiful cloud in the sky right now - I wish you were here to see it with me.’”
— Artist Babak Kazemi

Artist Babak Kazemi is on Wondereur because influential curators such as Leila Araghian believe he is important and on the rise.

An original Photograph by Tehran-based artist Babak Kazemi exclusively curated for Wondereur by star architect Leila Araghian.

Edition of 6

Original Photograph

70 x 100

Unframed

SIGNED by the artist

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2 a top curator pick

Artist Babak Kazemi curated by star architect Leila Araghian

“I discovered Babak's work at the Venice Biennale. His photos never cease to trigger memories. Although the subject matter may seem melancholic and lonely, there is a sense of hope. You can feel the compassion and love he has for his homeland.”

STAR ARCHITECT • TABIAT BRIDGE • ARCHITIZER A+ AWARD

Leila Araghian is an award-winning Iranian architect. When she was 26 years old, Leila came up with the idea for the Tabiat Bridge in Tehran, which would later become Iran's largest pedestrian bridge. The multi-level, 270-metre long structure has garnered several awards, including the prestigious Architizer's A+ Award, a global architecture competition based in New York. As a leading, new creator in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Leila is paving the way for a new generation of Iranian designers.

3 an investigative photo documentary

Exclusive 17-page photo documentary from our investigative journalist team in collaboration with award-winning photojournalist Arash Khamooshi. Location: Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of. Copyright Wondereur 2023.

MEET with artist Babak Kazemi curated by star architect Leila Araghian.

PHOTOJOURNALIST FOR WONDEREUR ARASH KHAMOOSHI

Arash Khamooshi studied photography while working for the Iranian Student News Agency. Since 2005, he has covered presidential elections, natural disasters and social issues in Iran, and his photos have been widely published on The Guardian, CNN and various media publications. Most recently, he was awarded a World Press Photo top prize for his series “Act of Forgiveness”.

4 an artist to invest in

Exclusive career analysis and market overview from our investigative journalist team.

GET the facts behind Babak Kazemi’s success, career development and price. The value of his art is expected to significantly increase in the next few years.

See his work

Key Dates

2015 Top artist pick for star architect Leila Araghian for Wondereur

2015 “8 Year Old Persian Pickle,” Iran Pavilion, Venice Biennale, Italy

2012 Artist residency, Delfina Foundation, London, U.K.

2009 “Past Continuous,” Solo show, Silk Road Gallery, Tehran, Iran

2006 First Place Prize, Resistance Art Festival, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran

1983 Born in Iran

Babak Kazemi's Brain Map

Delve into this photographer's universe by exploring the artists and thinkers who have played an important role in his process. This Wondereur investigation reveals this larger creative context, both past and present.