TEHRAN Born in 1923 in Tehran, the veteran Iranian painter Abbas Katouzian, who was once the student of master Kamalolmolk, has dedicated his life to painting and has so far made more than 2,000 paintings. Katouzian describes his sweet days of youth as an era in which consistent practice on paintings made him addicted to this art. If one day I don't spend my time on paining, I will be depressed at the end of the day.

Little by little I found myself amidst this exploration and research. I have never painted for money. I love my works, and I have taught painting to anybody who Katouzian has held more than 27 solo exhibitions in Tehran. Moreover, his works were displayed at eight solo exhibitions held in the U.S., France and England, which received great acclaim. Green Peace and Yugoslav King, his two famous paintings, are kept in the Budapest Museum and the Royal European Museum respectively.

Today, Katouzian spends most of his time with the youth. He teaches them how to paint. He goes mountain-climbing at 4 o'clock in the morning every day. When he returns, he sticks to painting until night. Referring to the most outstanding feature of his works, he said, I am committed to tradition. I quickly sense the beauties and create those beauties in my works.

Then I feel satisfied. My works are all Iranian, and being Iranian is the main characte Criticizing the young girls and boys who are trapped in the style of modernism, Katouzian, who firmly opposes this style, said, I am totally against modernism. Modernism is the scum and garbage discarded by Europe. When there is realism, which reviv In his belief, art of painting is an international etiquette which doesn't need translation.

It should be comprehensible for all viewers. Modernism is not able to grasp the grandeur of creation and its beauty, and whatever is created through modernism is Katouzian, who has been painting since his childhood, has never left his psychological shelter, which is painting. Speaking on the people's relation with art, especially paining, Katouzian said, Iranians are not quite familiar with painting and sculpturing due to their religious beliefs.

This fact has put a burdensome responsibility on the shoulders of artists.a burdensome responsibility on the shoulders of artists.a burdensome responsibility on the shoulders of artists.a burdensome responsibility on the shoulders of artists.a burdensome responsibility on He further said that people love beautiful paintings. They want to add beauty to their life by hanging beautiful paintings on the walls of their homes.

If they cannot afford a beautiful work of art, it is not the fault of the artist. Katouzian noted that most of the world's renowned artists live in poverty, for whom art is not the means of earning money. It is the means of purification, benevolence and enjoyment. I am contented with the least facilities of life. I think I have created a world which is so vast and cannot be contained in the worldly life, he said.

And indeed, life is very enjoyable in the world of the beautiful paintings created by the veteran painter, Katouzian.