TEHRAN -- The Chalipa Foundation is to take the first steps in establishing a teahouse painting museum.

The foundation was recently launched by Kazem Chalipa and was named after his father, Hassan Esmaeilzadeh (also known as Chalipa).
Hassan Esmaeilzadeh, who was one of the last masters of this unique genre of Persian painting, died in February 2007.
Curator of Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art Habibollah Sadeqi told the Persian service of CHN that initially research must be undertaken with the assistance of Kazem Chalipa, and teahouse paintings must be collected.
Sadeqi went on to say “The best paintings will then be selected and put on display and the various techniques used by the masters of teahouse paintings will be published and taught to young people who are interested in learning this art.”
Sadeqi continued, saying that the foundation is the best place for workshops to be held and research conducted, adding, “We have asked Tehran’s Municipality and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to dedicate a large building to be used as a teahouse painting museum.”
Sadeqi also explained that Kazem Chalipa was the most appropriate person to help launch the museum, stating, “Kazem Chalipa is a teahouse painter himself. He also teaches at universities. Kazem has learnt the art from his father when he was a young boy, and thus he is the best person to transfer experience to others.”
Persian teahouses have served various functions in the different eras of their 400-year history. They used to be places where men gathered to spend their leisure time listening to naqqals (Iranian traditional storytellers) reciting Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. It was in the teahouses that people talked and exchanged views, and together with lutis (wise and generous people), helped the poor.
The art of teahouse painting emerged from within such an atmosphere. The craftsmen listened to the discussions and tales and used them as subjects for the paintings they drew on the walls, tiles and stones.
The teahouse painters enjoyed a unique perspective and painted imaginary scenes using epics, traditions and religion as the themes for their artworks.
Hossein Qollar-Aqasi, Mohammad Modabber, Abbas Bolukifar and Mohammad Hamidi were some of the pioneers of this genre.