Photo By M. Sayad

Photo Exhibition by Mohammad Sayyad and Book Launch | Part 2: Photos of the War

Sep. 11 – Oct. 16, 2020 |
  • Hall A
  • Hall B

Mohammad Sayyad Sabour (b. 1947, Bandar-e Anzali, Iran) is one of the forerunners of Iranian photojournalism. With a passion for photojournalism, he became a member of the Association of Iranian Journalists in 1969, embarking on a new path in his professional life. Between 1971 and 1978, he worked for the Ayandegan Newspaper for its political, sports, and social sections. In 1978, as he was still working for Ayandegan, he was recruited by the Associated Press—a collaboration that lasted for more than two decades. Since the very beginning of the Iran-Iraq War, Sayyad started going to the war zones to take pictures. His photographs of the revolution days as well as the years of war have been extensively published in several books. In 1980, Sayyad’s photographs of the failed Operation Eagle Claw in Tabas won the Prize of the best Middle Eastern photography from the Associated Press (AP). Sayyad is a member of the Association of Iranian Journalists. He lives and works in Tehran.


The second part of “PHOTO BY M. SAYYAD” exhibition will be held at the Nabshi Center from September 11 to October 16, 2020. The first part of the event depicted photographs from the Iranian Revolution and its aftermaths. Now the second part demonstrates the Iran-Iraq War by setting out to war zones and the frontlines. The exhibition contains photographs with captions attached to them that were prepared to be sent to the Canadian Press (CP). Besides this format, there are large-scale photographs in which insightful, thought provoking moments from the era are captured. This is going to be the third part of Mohammad Sayyad’s photojournalism images at Nabshi Center, the previous ones being the photos from the Revolution and the Iraqi Kurd refugees.
The photos from the time of war begin with people’s everyday life, going on to include the war zones and the frontlines, the devastations, the resistance of Khorramshahr and Ahvaz, aerial bombing of cities, reflecting both epic and tragic moments. Some of the photos delve into the nature of war, the frontlines, and chemical attacks on civilians, while others move along the lines of refugees and demonstrations in support of soldiers. The important feature of these photographs is the faithful depiction of reality, with no intention of manipulating or staging a given event. Sayyad believes that a photojournalist’s each and every click of the shutter should come from a place of integrity.

At the opening of the second part of the exhibition, Nabshi Center will launch Mohammad Sayyad’s photobook entitled PHOTOS BY M. SAYAD. Moreover, the first documentary of Sayyad’s life and work will debut on the opening day.

Part 2: Photos of the War

September 11 to October 16, 2020
Sunday to Thursday: 12 PM – 8 PM
Fridays: 4 PM – 8 PM
Nabshi Center is Closed on Saturdays