“’Disciples of Sheikh San’an’ depicts a stylised architectural scene, in which a number of tall, narrow towers in orange, white, green and red sit flush together on a neutral background. Here Tanavoli refers to the poems and stories of ‘The Conference of Birds’, written by Faridoddin Attar Neyshabouri (1119–1189). In the story referred to here, the fictitious character Sheikh San’an falls in love with a Christian girl, neglecting his religious duties. Through the prayers of his disciples he returns to his initial beliefs. There are two dominant symbols in this work, which characterise Tanavoli’s practice: the yellow caged bird and the two lit candles, which allude to religious prayers.”

Leyla Fakhr, August 2011