Shaqayeq Arabi is a painter, sculptor and installation artist with a career spanning over two decades. Born in Tehran, she  studied graphic design at Al Zahra University, eventually moving to Paris, where she earned her MFA at the Sorbonne. Today Arabi has a studio in Dubai where she lives and works.

Ten artists and designers have been shortlisted for this year’s prize, which is awarded every two years. Amongst them are five Iranian artists: Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Bita Ghezelayagh, Babak Golkar, Hadieh Shafie, and Soody Sharifi.

UK-based industrial design team, Arash + Kelly debut two new pieces: the Seventy Pound Note piece and the Lord of the Flies fly swatter. And with all the Quantitive Easing going on, it seems the £50 note is about to get a run for its money, being the head of the clan.

As the first gallery in Europe to focus on contemporary visual arts from Iran, London-based Xerxes Art presents Iranian artist Simeen Farhat. Simeen Farhat is an internationally renowned artist and academic who challenges popular perceptions in the West through her multimedia works.

“Art is the purest vehicle of the human expression: When all else fails we communicate our emotions, our ideals, our hopes and dreams through our art.” Quips Kohan, whose ability to connect on an-almost spiritual level with viewers through his work, still fascinates us.

Creating a revealing dialogue between artists living and working in the East and West, ILLUMINATIONS (After Arthur Rimbaud) highlights the strength of light to bind different cultures together.