The first Iranian sculpture expo opened Saturday at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF).

Over 200 works by 150 artists are on display at the open space of the forum, the secretary of the expo Kurosh Golnari told the Persian service of ISNA.

"The works are valued by experts and the prices vary from 2.5b rials (about 2.5m $) to 4m rials (about 4,000$). The tallest sculpture on display is about 2m and the shortest is about 30cm," he explained.

People visit the first Iranian sculpture expo, which opened at the Iranian Artists Forum on November 8, 2008. (Mehr/Mohsen Sajjadi)

The catalogues of the expo have been distributed to private collectors in neighboring countries and so far, thirty items have been purchased, Golnari said adding, "Some have been selected by private collectors who have only seen the works in the catalogues."

"The collection on display has been selected from 600 works submitted to the secretariat and contains a unique selection," he added.

"Works by master Mohsen Vaziri Moqaddam commands the highest price; ranging from 2.5b rials (about 2.5m $) to 800m rials (about 80,000 $), and 700m rials (about 70,000$)," he noted.

The first expo is organized for the economic development of the art of sculpture and to introduce the works by prominent artists to art collectors. It will continue until November 20 at the forum located on Musavi St., Taleqani Ave.

Works by great masters such as Behruz Darash, Ahmad Nadalian, Fatemeh Emdadian, Simin Ekrami, Jamshid Moradian, Iraj Mohammadi, Iraj Karimkhan Zand, Mohammad Farbodnia, and Qodratollah Aqeli are at the show.

The Association of Iranian Sculptors, Tehran Municipality's Beautification Organization, Iranian Artists Forum, and Tandis Art Magazine are among the sponsors.