Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar Presents ‘The Journey’ In Collaboration With Art Patron Ali Jassim

The artist is set to unveil a 100sqm mural this Tuesday

Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar, an Iranian-French multidisciplinary artist residing in the south of France and former Bazaar Art cover star, has just announced a new body of work entitled The Journey (2022). In progress for the past year behind closed doors, the works were created in collaboration with renowned philanthropist, art patron and entrepreneur, Ali Jassim.

“I am extremely proud of Sassan’s achievement first and foremost as a human being and as an artist, as well as someone who has been able to truly connect with his dominant energy from such a young age,” expresses Ali.

“It was this strength that showed his resilience through life no matter what his obstacles were. I know Sassan for a long while now, and this is an intimate subject he doesn’t like to talk about, however as the closest person to him who knows and understands his story, I can state that if Sassan did not look within and become one with his inner self, he would not be here with us today.”

The art patron – who has been collecting modern and contemporary art for the past 15 years – met Sassan during his first solo show in London almost 15 years back, and the connection was instant: “We realised right away that we speak the same ‘language’, not necessarily just in words only,” says Ali. “We connected on a spiritual level, sharing similar set of principles and core values in our lives.”

The Journey was born from the trauma and emotional experiences endured throughout the 38-year-old artist’s life, especially from witnessing turmoil in his hometown, Iran.

Sassan’s work is a powerful depiction of energy, spirituality, his visionary understandings of humanity and life, as well as philosophical theories such as ancient Zoroastrian scripts. But with The Journey, the focus shifts to the people of Iran. Could it be that the artist is finally revealing his hidden emotions? “I will say this, I have never seen Sassan so focused, strong and in tune with his inner strength and powerful energy,” admits Ali. “I think his already-impressive career is about to go through a major quantum leap. And as one of his biggest supporters, I will do anything in my power to ensure that he realises his goals and objectives as both a human being and an artist.”

The first work in the series, a mural, comprises two sections and has been created in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in a secret location, with its inauguration held on 21 June 2022 alongside 150 handpicked guests in partnership with the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. A second mural is planned to be installed permanently at the Cultural Centre of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, with a third one in Ibiza.

Here, Sassan reveals everything you need to know about The Journey.  

For the first time in your artistic career, you seem to be bringing out lots of emotions related to your time in Iran. Why now?

One can never suppress strong emotions and feelings forever. Why now? Because it feels right now. You know me, always following the universe’s messages sent my way. More importantly, we are two now.

We see your signature style of work emerging in The Journey, with some new subjects such as flowers and leaves, skulls and crowns. What is the meaning behind each of these selected subjects?

All I will say is that I will never forget the countless lives of children, our youth and the Iranian people wasted. We need to go back to our roots, our people are proud with a rich history and legacy which embraces tolerance with love and compassion for all, and we shouldn’t let the past few decades erase all of that. Everyone who can make a difference should help and support our people.

For the first time in your career, you are co-creating a body of work with an art patron, in this case with Ali Jassim. What triggered this move and what is planned for the future with this new collective?

It is true that bringing in an art patron and philanthropist into the atelier to create works together isn’t common practice, but everything I have been doing through my artistic career hasn’t been common as well.

As you know, I am an artist who always goes against the norms – all that matters is what you feel and the synergy present. And in the case of Ali and I, everything came about organically.

I felt that I met my brother from a past life. We speak five to six hours daily discussing art, life and how we can bring about a meaningful impact in the world via art and culture. Next, all it took was for both of us to get our hands on paint and tools in my atelier for a week, and The Journey was born. You can never explain these things, but let me say that, when the intentions, love, passion, honesty, humanity and visionary ideas of two people match, everything flows naturally, which has been the case for us.

The future holds lots of promise – I can’t spill all the beans but can say that lots of exhibitions, cultural events and gatherings, panel discussions and partnerships are currently being born with a latest exciting decision to inaugurate two more atelier spaces, with the first one opening its doors in Ibiza by the end of summer.

How many works will be produced for The Journey?

One hundred works by the next year, followed by hundreds more.

To find out more, visit sassanbehnambakhtiar.com

Lead image: Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar. Never Forgotten. Oil, acrylic, and crushed stone from Persepolis. 162x114cm