TEHRAN -- All paintings by the 13-year old South African artist Maya Saley sold out on the first day of her Tehran show on Friday.

Maya, who is the daughter of South African Ambassador to Iran Ebrahim M. Saley, has displayed a selection of 22 paintings at Tehran’s Shokuh Gallery.

Saley began painting in 2002 at the age of four and she did the exhibited artworks over the past three years.

South African traditional symbols are recurrent motifs in her works, her Iranian art teacher Vahid Moeini told the Persian service of ISNA News Agency.

Also included in her works are designs and Arabic motifs and letters similar to the patterns founded in the mosques, he added.

Moeini added, “Maya is a gifted girl and can easily transfer her ideas into paintings, and I have actually acted like a guide teaching her the necessary techniques.”

I believe there is no difference between Iranian and African teenagers, and it is our ideas which make things look different, Moeini added.

Ambassador Saley also present at the opening ceremony expressed his thanks to director of the Shokuh Gallery and art teacher Moeini.

He said that he is happy his daughter has had the chance to display her works here in Iran and hoped she will be exhibiting her works in South Africa someday.

“The only thing which can be exchanged between nations is their culture. I try to visit the galleries every Friday to become familiar with Iranian artists,” he added.

Maya considers herself a happy girl who is trying to showcase part of African and Iranian cultures. She will be donating the proceeds to benefit Iranian charity organizations.

The exhibit will be running until November 30 at the gallery, which is located at 19 Amir Nuri Alley, North Salimi St., Andarzgu Blvd.

RM/YAW

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