Last November, a mural drawn by the two Australian artists Fintan Magee & Guido van Helten has been unveiled in the Iranian capital Tehran to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iran and Australia. This was the first time foreign artists had been granted permission to paint in the country since the 1979 revolution. The mural was commissioned by the Australian embassy.
About The Mural
The art of carpet weaving in Iran is by far the most widespread handicraft in Iran. It originated more than 2,500 years ago. Persian carpets and rugs were initially woven as articles of necessity to cover the floors of nomadic tribesmen, giving them protection from the cold and damp. The natural progression of the skill and craft involved in the creation of these works of art has been passed down from generation to generation over the centuries throughout periods of peace, invasion and war. As international trade developed, the variety of patterns and designs grew. Persian carpets are renowned for their richness of color, variety of spectacular artistic patterns and quality of design and can be sometimes among the most treasured of possessions.
In preparation for the mural artwork, the 2 Australian artists explored carpet weaving, its distribution and symbolic place within Persian culture from both an outsider perspective and within. The artists traveled to various places in Iran and photographed traditional Iranian arts. This mural is based on images of two carpet repairmen working in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. The artists wanted to pay homage to the dignity of hard work while putting a human face to an important aspect of craft and culture in Persia.
In a statement Magee said: “Mural artwork in Tehran has been prolific since the revolution of 1979. Many of the murals in the city address political themes and are often propagandistic. Portraits of fallen martyrs, images from the Iran-Iraq war and portraits of political leaders are common place. Our aim was to subvert some of these traditions and focus on painting a large work of an everyday working person. At a time when sanctions are again affecting the country’s economy we wanted to focus on the people who are the real victims of decisive foreign policy. People have to be resourceful in the country. Reusing, repairing and recycling products has become a necessity. We wanted to show the resilience of the Iranian people and how life goes on in this hospitable, welcoming and ancient culture.”
About The Artists
Fintan Magee is known for his murals throughout Australia and the world. Born in Lismore, New South Wales, he grew up in Brisbane, gaining a reputation as a graffiti writer before obtaining a fine arts degree and relocating to Sydney.
His work often deals with environmental issues, in 2015 his solo show at Backwoods Gallery in Melbourne was themed around his own personal experiences in the 2011 Brisbane floods. He often uses personal stories to talk about broader issues like climate change and the migrant crisis.
He received national acclaim for his mural depicting Felix Baumgartner in Brisbane, and has participated in various public art festivals in Australia and abroad.
Guido van Helten, hails from Brisbane and now travels the world, working as an artist and large scale muralist. Guido paints striking, realistic portraits, in a unique “watercolour” style. Guido has shown a love for exploration, having taken his work to many challenging and isolated locations, such as Iceland, Svalbard, Ukraine, Chernobyl, and many areas of regional Australia. His Brim Silo project completed in 2015 caused a spike in tourism to a struggling town in regional Victoria. The artwork was nominated for the Sulman prize for 2016, and made national news in Australia, with major coverage on both television and in print media. His murals can be spotted throughout the world.
Fintan Magee: web | facebook | instagram
Guido van Helten: web | facebook | instagram
