First Preview: Artist Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar’s Solo Show At Sotheby’s Monaco

The vibrant new works reveal hidden meanings that prompt the viewers to question present realities

Sotheby’s Monaco has just launched Journey Within, a solo show by the visionary Cap Ferrat-based French-Iranian contemporary artist Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar, followed by a collaborative performance by Sassan and multi-award-winning British musician, artist and entrepreneur, Tinie Tempah. 

The performance follows the collaborative duo’s residency at the iconic Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel in June 2021, which aptly garnered global appraisal.

Journey Within will be on view at Sotheby’s Monaco from 6 to 26 September, with a contemporary art charity auction on 16 September hosted by the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel and Sotheby’s, auctioneered by Vice President of Sotheby’s France, Pierre Mothes, in aid of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

A rare painting will be created live by Sassan for the very first time publicly in his signature style, in dialogue with Tinie’s evocative lyrics.

“Journey Within is a testament to this unique journey, where every human being can embark on and understand that no one is limited to this body, mind, and this so-called reality we are living in nowadays,” expresses Sassan.

“Every being is existence itself, a limitless ocean of consciousness, imbued with infinite potential. All answers are found within each of us. When creating the works for Journey Within, I set my inner self free prior to commencing my practice to bring on to the surface of the canvas, an impromptu yet organic experience showing what the journey inward could feel like, going through each layer of humanity until reaching one’s soul frequency. The works created for Journey Within have all been painted, for the first time, in an awakened state.”

The works presented focus on the artist’s main mission; to take the viewer on an inner journey of self-exploration, one which allows us to refocus our energy on the true purpose of humanity. The paintings are made in Sassan’s signature style of peinture raclée, which consists of a complex method of dispersing and scraping off layers of pigment for months at a time. The exhibition triggers an immersive sensory experience that begs the philosophical question: how can we evolve for the better?

“I am most attracted to Sassan’s deft use of colour but moreover, how his paintings somehow convey his unique spirit and energy in their movement and mystery,” admits Louise Gréther, Head of Sotheby’s Monaco.

She continues, “His works narrate a journey of search and discovery and I am particularly drawn to that. The Sotheby’s Monaco team have worked very closely with Sassan to curate this show but the impetus has definitely come from him, particularly considering how sensitive he is to the energy and flow of the works assembled in our space. We are exhibiting over 30 works from smaller paintings to a very large showpiece in the heart of the gallery spanning the ground and first floor.”

The canvases are known to have a distinct romantic Monet-like quality, reflecting the artist’s cultural identity and influences of European art history in a contemporary context.

“Sassan is only 38 years old, and as a contemporary artist and human being, he has already achieved so much,” states art patron, Ali Jassim.

Ali continues, “The fact that Sotheby’s is putting its stamp of approval on Sassan is only natural given his track record and commitment to his practice, his unique technique and more importantly the weight his work carries, pushing us to question our realities today while looking within in search of our true nature and power, which, in turn, will enable us to evolve. The value of Sassan’s work goes beyond the recognition it has already obtained and the ones who understand that will be the ones who will join Sassan and I on his beautiful journey.”

Journey Within will be on view at Sotheby’s Monaco from 6 to 26 September 2022, with a contemporary art charity auction on 16 September hosted by the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel and Sotheby’s, auctioneered by Pierre Mothes. 

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All images courtesy of the artist and Sotheby’s Monaco