Carpet Workers of Tehran: Collaboration with Fintan Magee

Tehran, Iran,
2018

Mural Detail Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

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In mid-November 2018 I travelled to Iran’s capital of Tehran to participate in a collaborative mural with long time friend and fellow artist from Brisbane, Australia – Fintan Magee. This was the first time foreign artists had been granted permission to paint a mural in Tehran and was achieved through the facilitation of the Australian embassy in Iran as part a diplomatic creative exchange to celebrate its 50th year of operation in the country.

Photographs and Words by Guido van Helten

Project Details
Project
Carpet Workers of Tehran: Collaboration with Fintan Magee
Location
Tehran, Iran
Commissioner
Australian Embassy, Iran

Carpets in Tehran's Central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

The concept ‘The carpet workers of Tehran’ is an understandable focus from within and from outside of Iran which seeks to showcase a symbolic meaning through the Persian Carpet, its weaving, history and cultural relevance in Persian Culture and Iranian art. A common and recognisable theme of unique Persian heritage the people behind this practice was documented at the Tehran Central Bazaar and the nearby regional city of Kashan through engagement and photography. These images form the visual story behind the mural’s implementation. Through the Persian carpet, its export and distribution around the world this work seeks to humanise and spread understanding on the people behind this process to the global community.  

Mural artwork and its modern presence in Tehran represent an artistic movement that stands in contrast to traditional practices of carpet production. Having been prolific since the revolution of 1979, many of the murals from the earlier era address political themes, fallen Marty’s from the Iran-Iraq war, or portraiture of political leaders. This earlier painting movement contrasts the modern murals and mural artists Tehran who demonstrate a strong and unique conceptual style in addition to the wide diversity of Iranian arts practices in music, film, and contemporary art.

This mural aims to combine these two themes, aligning itself with a modern approach to Mural production that celebrates a long history of Persian culture, while avoiding the notion of the fallen soldier in favour of a commemorative humanisation of the everyday worker who continues to work on this ancient craft through modern times.

This contribution was painted in Northern Tehran with local artist Irani Hashem in assistance, supported by the Australian Embassy in Tehran with thanks to Hamish, Hannah, and Morteza for their guidance and support.

Tehran's Central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

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Carpet Vendors at Tehran's Central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Carpet Vendors at Tehran's Central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

A mural for fallen Martyrs Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

A Carpet worker in Tehran's Central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

A poster for a fallen Martyr in Tehran's central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Mural for a fallen Martyr Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

A Carpet worker in Tehran's Central Bazaar Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Skyline of Kashan Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Mural in the regional city of Kashan Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Streetscape in the regional city of Kashan Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Bazaar of Kashan Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Family carpet weaving Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Carpet weaving in a family home Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Traditional family carpet weaving often made in the home and can take up to a year Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Skyline of Kashan Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Tools Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Wool dying process using natural earth pigments Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Wool dying process using natural earth pigments Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Wool dying process using natural earth pigments Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Natural earth pigments Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Wool dying worker Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Drying the Wool following the dying process Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Bazaar of Kashan Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Streets Kashan, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Bazaar of Kashan Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

The official opening of the mural Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

Morteza, Guido, Fintan and the Carpet Workers Tehran, Iran. November 2018 Photograph: Guido van Helten

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