Iranian Pop Art Pioneer Khosrow Hassanzadeh Dies at 60

Khosrow Hassanzadeh, a pioneering Iranian Pop artist known for his politically charged works, has died after consuming bootleg alcohol. Born in 1963, Hassanzadeh was distinct among his peers for his working-class background—he served in a local militia during the Iranian Revolution and fought in the Iran-Iraq War. His art often addressed social and political themes, such as the series 'The Terrorists,' which juxtaposed portraits of himself and female relatives against Islamist motifs to critique Western stereotypes, and 'Prostitutes,' which documented the murders of sex workers by a religious extremist. Another series, 'Chador,' reimagined the Islamic veil. His practice spanned screenprints, ceramic tiles, and box frame assemblages, featuring iconic Iranian musicians like Javad and Googoosh. Since the 1980s, Hassanzadeh exhibited internationally at venues in Beirut, Dubai, London, Phnom Penh, and Tehran. A major survey of his work was held at the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam in 2006. His works are held in the collections of the Tropenmuseum, the British Museum, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and the World Bank. His most recent exhibition took place last year at Vida Heydari Contemporary in Pune, India, showcasing a series of autobiographical poetry paintings.