Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance met with 92-year-old artist at home of Hossein Mahjoubi, known as “Painter of Paradise” and designer of Saei Park.
According to The Artmag quoted by Fars News Agency, at the beginning of meeting, Minister of Culture and Guidance expressed his satisfaction with meeting and stated: “This spring visit at the beginning of the new year is a blessed subject that should be taken as a good omen. Meeting with the honorees of Islamic Iran’s culture and art and appreciating their cultural and artistic services are among important priorities of ministry, whose continuation will bring many cultural blessings.
Referring to Hossein Mahjoubi as the “Painter of Heaven”, he added: “One of famous titles used in this veteran master of art is Paradise Painter. An interesting title whose manifestation is also understood and received in many of his works and paintings.
Mahjoubi: I am a critic of harming nature
In continuation of this sincere meeting, Hossein Mahjoubi, while explaining and reviewing the selected book of his works, said: I drew some of these works when I felt that earth was being forgotten. My critique is of a current that has caused damage to the nature of Iran, and it is from this perspective that most of my paintings originate from the pristine and lush nature of Iran.
Explaining and explaining one of his works entitled “Iranvaj”, he said: Iran is cradle of civilization and first region of civilization from which civilization began, and this work was painted in defense of Iranian cultural civilization, stretching from Caspian Sea to Persian Gulf. It depicts in the form of a green, lush and lively land.
Pursue the establishment of the Mahjoubi Foundation
The establishment of Hossein Mahjoubi Museum House in Tehran and the establishment of Hossein Mahjoubi Foundation and Museum in Gilan were other issues that were discussed during the spring meeting of Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the delegation with Master Hossein Mahjoubi and his children.
Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance stated in this regard: This house is a valuable and important space that should be properly maintained and introduced, and Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is seriously pursuing this issue in cooperation with other responsible institutions. Will provide the conditions for the realization of this valuable event.
Mahjoubi further emphasized: The establishment of such spaces is one of issues that need to happen not for me but for famous and influential artists in various fields, a process that can preserve their art and their works for the future.
In another part of the meeting, referring to the horses and trees that are abundant in his works, he said: “For many people, the question is why in most of my paintings I have depicted horses and trees.” The fact is that the horse is a symbol of beauty, effort, movement and pure energy, and in the case of the tree, we can say that plants and trees are among the life-giving and sacred elements of earth and have a spectacular beauty and relaxation.
In the continuation of this meeting, Mahjoubi presented the selected book of his works to Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Also reviewing the memories of Hossein Mahjoubi’s friendship with Sohrab Sepehri was another part of the conversations that took place during this Nowruz meeting.
At the end of meeting, after visiting the works of this artist, a plaque of appreciation and a Nowruz gift from Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance were presented to Painter Paradise to appreciate the valuable services of this artist. Also present at meeting were Mahmoud Shaloui, Assistant Minister and Director General of Ministry, Hassan Bolkhari, President of the Association of Cultural Works and Honors, and Amir Abdolhosseini, Art Director, Researcher and Art Teacher.
Hossein Mahjoubi was born on May 14, 1930 in Lahijan. He has been a painter, architect and designer of many parks in Iran, including Saei Park in Tehran. This pioneer of contemporary Iranian art, whose works are world-famous, has been depicting and presenting his lush and imaginative worlds for more than 70 years, and this painting taste continues in contemporary Iranian art.
