The PaykanArtCar, is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that unites the talents of contemporary Iranian artists with a beloved symbol of national pride – the Paykan automobile – to advocate for the restoration of human rights and dignity for all in Iran no matter their race, religion, gender or their sexual orientation.

A car once gifted by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, to the Romanian dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, will again be the canvas for artwork by Iranian artists in exile.

Call for Artists

In its second iteration, PaykanArtCar will highlight the struggle for women’s rights inside of Iran through the unspoken power art. Iran is one of just six UN member states that has not signed the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Iranian regime systematically discriminates against the female identifying population, treating them as second-class citizens. Through inequitable legal frameworks enshrines many barriers to accessing basic rights in areas such as employment, marriage and citizenship and other freedoms.

PaykanArtCar invites Iranian female artists living outside of Iran to submit their artistic proposal for the next PaykanArtCar advocating for women’s rights in Iran. All submissions must be original works of art and entirely the work of the entrant. 

Deadline for submission: 

April 30, 2022

Who can apply?

Iranian female artists living outside of Iran

What are the program objectives?

Our goal at PaykanArtCar is to raise awareness through creative dissent against the struggle for human rights and dignity in Iran.

The Commission

PaykanArtCar will provide the commissioned artist with:

• Space to accommodate the commission
• Reimbursement of PaykanArtCar approved cost of materials and tools
• Reimbursement of PaykanArtCar approved expenses associated with the commission(up to $1500 USD)
• Artist fee of $10,000 USD

Application 

In order for curators to accurately assess each application fairly, all applicants must provide the below information in a PDF format and JPEG Medium resolution (150 ppi) format for any representative artwork and artistic renderings. Applications that do not meet the requirements listed below will not be considered. All materials are to be submitted in one(1) folder. Applications must be submitted via email to [email protected].

1. CV or bio of artist, maximum two (2) pages
2. Artist portfolio, minimum ten(10) artworks created after 2015, maximum fifteen(15) artworks created after 2015
3. A project statement maximum 1000 words
4. Description of project including technical specifications, maximum 500 words. 
5. Project timeline no longer than one(1)  month
6. Detailed project budget
7. 5 to 10 renderings (3D or Sketches) of the proposed artwork

For collective proposals please provide the following:

1. Nature and history of your collective work maximum 500 words.
2. List of participants (artists, designers and other collaborators) PDF file.
3. CV or bio of artists, collaborators or members of the collective.

Can I submit my application in Persian?

Yes.

When will PaykanArtCar make its final artist proposal selection?

May 16, 2022