Zohrabi Pargar is an Iranian artist with a background in civil engineering and cultural heritage. A specialist in the art of tezhip (Islamic illumination) he has exhibited nationally and internationally, raising the profile of this traditional artistry. Zohrabi has been recognized for his talent in tezhip winning numerous awards and acolades.
How did you develop an interest in Islamic art? Did you always want to be an artist?
-من به صورت کاملا اتفاقی با این هنر آشنا شدم. طی بازدیدی که از یک نمایشگاه خوشنویسی داشتم با هنر زیبای تذهیب آشنا شدم . و برعکس رشته دانشگاهی که مهندسی عمران خوندم روحیاتم کاملا هنری بود و همیشه به هنر علاقه داشتم . چندین مرتبه برای کلاسهای نقاشی اقدام کردم که به دلایلی این اتفاق نیفتاد تا اینکه با هنر تذهیب آشنا شدم و متوجه شدم چیزی که در من کم بود و من بهش احتیاج داشتم همین هنر تذهیب است .
I met this art by chance. I got acquainted with the beautiful art of gilding during a visit to a calligraphy exhibition. And unlike the university field where I studied civil engineering, my spirit was completely artistic and I was always interested in art. I applied for painting classes, which didn't happen until I got acquainted with the art of gilding and realized that something was missing and that this art should be gilded regularly.
How did you train to become an artist?
2- در آن زمان بنده به دلیل مشغله کاری زمان زیادی برای آموزش نداشتم و فقط توانستم حدود چند ماه به سختی اصول اولیه و پایه تذهیب را یاد بگیرم و از آن به بعد تمام آموزشهایم با تجزیه و تحلیل آثار قدما و تلاش خودم بدست آمد . و همیشه سپاسگذار استادم هستم که راه صحیح را به من نشان داد .
At that time, I did not have much time for training due to my busy work, and I was only able to learn the basic principles of gilding with difficulty for about a few months. From then on, all my training was obtained by analyzing Gadam's works and my own efforts. And I am always grateful to my teacher who showed me the right way.
Where do you find inspiration to create your works?
3- من برای خلق آثارم از جایی الهام نمیگیرم و در زمان طراحی فارغ از مکان و زمان میشوم و دست و ذهن و قلمم یکی میشود و آن اتفاق مهم رخ میدهد .
I don't get inspiration from anywhere to create my works, and when I design, I am independent of place and time, and my hand, mind, and pen become one, and that important thing happens.
How do you create your color compositions?
4- ترکیبات رنگی در تذهیب ایرانی معمولا از یک سری رنگهای شاخص ( لاجورد ، فیروزه ، شنجرف ، اکر ، مشکی و ...) در کنار همنشینی با طلای خالص استفاده میشود و انتخاب رنگ و محل قرار گیری هر کدام با توجه به تجربه و خلاقیت هنرمند صورت میگیرد .
Color combinations in Iranian gilding usually use a series of distinctive colors (lapis lazuli, turquoise, saffron, ecru, black, etc.) in combination with pure gold, and the choice of color and placement of each is based on the experience and creativity of the artist takes place.
Which artists inspire you?
5-من پیرو سبک هنرمند خاصی نیستم و تمام آثار نفیس گذشتگان را مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار میدهم . و سعی میکنم رموز و دقت نظر آثار قدما الهام بخش من باشند تا نام خود هنرمند .
I do not follow the style of a particular artist and I analyze all the exquisite works of the past. I try to be more inspired by the secrets and precision of ancient works than the artist's name.
Of all your works to date, which has been the most challenging to create?
6- هر اثر در زمان خلق خودش چالش برانگیزترین است . و سیر و سلوکی عاشقانه و ریاضتی شیرین است .
Each work is the most challenging at the time of its creation. And the course of love and austerity is sweet.
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
8- فقط مشتاق بودن کافی نیست ، بایستی ماهیت اون هنر برای تو مثل اکسیژن باشد برای بدن تو . هدف بزرگ و کار بزرگ انجام دادن نیاز به تلاش و همت بزرگ دارد . کار آسان را که هر کسی میتواند انجام دهد .
It is not enough to be enthusiastic, the nature of that art must be like oxygen to your body. A great goal and doing a great job requires great effort and effort. An easy task that anyone can do.
What do you think the future of Islamic art looks like and how do you think we can continue to keep the tradition alive?
9- آینده هنر اسلامی همچنان رو به جلو و در حال رسیدن به کمال می باشد . و هیچگاه باز نخواهد ایستاد و هنر راه خود را میرود و این یک حرکت و جریان رو به جلو است . و این ما هستیم که از هنر استفاده میکنیم تا به آرامش برسیم .
The future of Islamic art is still moving forward and reaching perfection. And it will never stop and art goes its own way and this is a forward movement. And we are the ones who use art to reach peace
For more information follow @Zohrabi_tazhib on Instagram
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