TEHRAN – Paintings by self-taught artist Monavvar Ramezani known as Nanny Hassan are rooted in her dreams and the old stories she heard in her childhood, the artist says.

“I put whatever comes into my mind on paper. The stories from old books, the war, the old traditions of families, and funeral or wedding ceremonies, all of which registered in my mind,” the 78-year-old Nanny Hassan told the Persian service of ILNA on Saturday.

Nanny Hassan was born in Sohrevard Village near Khodabandeh in Zanjan Province. She used to weave carpets and draw carpet designs, but found interest in painting over the past few years. Her paintings are rooted in the folktales and traditional rituals of the region.

Her son organizes the exhibits, and after several exhibits in different galleries, this is her second solo exhibit in Shirin Gallery.

“I used to weave carpets with my family in our village. I drew lions, tigers or horses on pieces of paper and added colors and used them as the primary design of a carpet, and when it was completed, I gave it to my parents to sell,” she explained.

“I wanted to read books when I was a child so my parents asked someone to teach me how to read and write, and now after all these years, I have started to paint,” she added.

Nanny Hassan has been painting over the past seven years mostly focusing on old stories and folktales. “I know most of the old stories and ask my son if I don’t know about it. We used to eat good and healthy food and I have a good memory, but today people have less access to healthy food and the youth have less energy,” she lamented.

Her exhibition will run until September 2 at the gallery located at No. 5, 13th Alley, Sanai St. off Karim Khan Zand Ave.

Photo: A painting by Monavvar Ramezani known as Nanny Hassan

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