TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (Mehr News Agency) - An Iranian gallery director Javad Aqili lamented on Sunday that teahouse painting is ignored even at the painting biennials.

"A few teahouse paintings were displayed at the biennials in previous years," said Aqili, complaining that now there is no room for them.

He regretted that the teahouse painting, despite the rich background and all devotions given to the art, has not gained its real status among people.

"On one hand, the art of narration and religious plays -- the themes of teahouse painting - has being fallen into oblivion with the advent of television and modernism in general," he said, adding, "On the other hand, the cultural officials don't give enough attention to the art."

The director is displaying 50 works by veteran teahouse painters like Mohammad Modabber, Abbas Bolukifar, Hossein Hamedani, Hassan Esmaeilzadeh, and Mohammad Farahani in his gallery.

The exhibition runs until Jan. 20.

... Payvand News - 1/14/07 ... --