Hirst on show in Iran in first UK exhibition since 1979

Work by Damien Hirst is going on display in Iran, in the first exhibition there of British art since the 1979 revolution, it was announced yesterday.

The exhibition, organised by the British Council as part of its international arts programme, will open in Tehran next month as the Islamic republic marks its 25th anniversary.

Sculptures by Henry Moore open the exhibition, followed by works by Hirst, Barbara Hepworth, Gilbert and George and Anish Kapoor, whose sculpture recently filled Tate Modern's Turbine Hall.

The exhibition opens in the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art on 24 February, four days after the elections to the national parliament, and will cover developments in British sculpture in the 20th century.