Located in Buffalo, New York, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum is one of the oldest public art US institutions. Their mission to support artists extends to both historical and contemporary work, fostering an inclusive environment for artistic appreciation. Jason Nazmiyal’s loan to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum speaks to Nazmiyal’s continued interest in the conservation of art.
Reviewed by Jason Nazmiyal, Founder of the Nazmiyal Collection
Museum Loan Details
Institution: Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Artist: Ali Banisadr
Title: The Alchemist
Date: 2025
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 16 x 7 x 9 inches and 4 x 7 x 3.5 inches
Type of Involvement: Exhibition loan
Exhibition: Ali Banisadr: Temple of the Mind
Exhibition dates: June 26-November 8, 2026
Credit: Collection of Jason and Padi Nazmiyal
Ali Banisadr: Temple of the Mind
Ali Banisadr: Temple of the Mind is an exhibit being held in the Buffalo AKG Art Museum from June 26, 2026 to November 8, 2026. Its title is borrowed from an 19th-century oil painting by Albert Pinkham Ryder, inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe poem about the haunting of the mind. The painting is purposefully enigmatic and dark, reflecting rising uncertainties. While Banisadr’s work tends to use vivid colors and dynamic imagery, the opposite of Ryder’s painting, the themes explored are equally contemplative and nuanced.
This exhibition is an artist collection intervention that featured contemporary work alongside historic Surreal and Abstract Expressionist pieces.
The Alchemist
Though Banisadr is primarily a painter and printmaker, his recent work has been an exploration of artmaking in three dimensions. Similar to his paintings, his sculptural pieces are all abstracted figures relating to stories and myths, often referencing philosophy, magic, or a mix of both. Additionally, Banisadr’s sculpted work resembles his paintings in their gestural and expressive qualities.
The loaned work’s title is The Alchemist, referencing a pseudo-scientific ancient practice rooted in philosophy. Alchemy blended a fair amount of mysticism with medicinal practices of the time. Practitioners sought to discover what was known as the “elixir of life,” a cure for all known diseases and the answer to eternal youth. This elixir was said to have come in the form of a stone known as the Philosopher’s Stone. Apart from granting immortality, the stone could also transform base metals into gold. The sculpture’s tie to the alchemical myth of the stone is apparent in its depiction and material design.
The Alchemist is a small sculpture consisting of two pieces and made entirely from one of the base metals: bronze. One of the two parts that make up the sculpture is an abstracted kneeling figure. The other is the Philosopher’s Stone elevated on a brick-like pedestal. Accents of gold stand out against the otherwise dark color of the statue, confirming the stone’s identity. The accents indicate the figure has been caught in mid-transformation, a nod to the transmutative process associated with alchemy.
Nazmiyal’s Continued Support of Contemporary Art
Jason Nazmiyal is a well respected collector, with over four decades of experience in the antique rug business. His foundation of the Nazmiyal Collection is a testament to his interest in the appreciation of creative ventures and preservation of historical work.
His ideals align with those of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, which strives to share creative and historical work promoting diversity and accessibility. Nazmiyal’s loan of The Alchemist for their 2026 exhibition reflects his admiration for artwork outside of the historic textile industry. Additionally, the sculpture is not the first of Banisadr’s work in Nazmiyal’s private collection. His shared Iranian heritage with the artist adds a personal layer to the loan, uplifting works that speak to his own experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this sculpture called The Alchemist?
The sculpture is a clear reference to the ancient alchemical practice in both its material design as well its depiction. The sculpted figure is made from bronze and is a literal alchemist kneeling before the Philosopher’s Stone, which alchemists sought to discover.
What exhibition is the loaned work a part of?
The loaned sculpture is part of the 2026 exhibition Ali Banisadr: Temple of the Mind.
How is the loan of Ali Banisadr’s work significant?
The loan holds personal significance to collectors Jason and Padi Nazmiyal, as Banisadr is an Iranian-born artist who draws from his own experiences in his work.
What is Jason Nazmiyal known for outside of art collecting?
Jason Nazmiyal is primarily known for his work as a collector and seller of antique rugs. His business, the Nazmiyal Collection, holds an impressive inventory of antique Persian, Turkish, Caucasian, and Tribal rugs, as well as vintage and modern productions.
Does Nazmiyal’s work in antique textiles connect to his interest in fine art?
Yes. Though Nazmiyal is known for his textile collection, he is interested in the preservation, appreciation, and study of art and history. Both are exemplified in his collection of antique rugs and of artwork, historical or otherwise.
Explore More
Jason Nazmiyal’s collaboration with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum is not the first. He has worked closely with many cultural institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Whitney Museum of Art, and more. Learn more about Nazmiyal’s loans, donations, and other institutional collaborations in the Nazmiyal Museum Collaboration Archive.