The US-Israeli bombardment of Iran, beginning in late February, has severely disrupted the country's cultural life and art scene. The typically busy Nowruz (Persian New Year) period was marked by fear, travel restrictions, and internet blackouts, leading to the evacuation of museum collections, the closure of galleries, and artists being unable to work in their studios.
The conflict has devastated Iran's already fragile art market, which relies on independent galleries and private collectors. Artists describe a crisis of identity and purpose, with survival taking priority over creation. The article highlights how war erodes cultural heritage and community, silencing artistic expression and severing connections both within Iran and with the global art world.