Carpet Workers of Tehran: Collaboration with Fintan Magee

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.