TEHRAN Pottery is an ancient art which came into being some 10,000 years ago. It was received warmly in Iran and since 6,000 years B.C., this art has been known to Iranians.
As it was mentioned, pottery is an old art in Iran, but enough attention has not been paid to this art.
Pottery of Iran has not gained the status it deserves to be presented in the world. What foreigners know about Iranian earthenware and pottery works is limited to some relics displayed in museums.
Pegah Ganji, a young female Iranian artist, recently displayed her pottery works in Arasbaran Cultural Center. By looking at her works one can find that she has tried to present different and unique works. She employs her innovation and creativity to combine the old style with the modern style.
Born in 1977, Ganji completed her education in Persian literature.
Ever since her childhood, she has been interested in art. She learned painting for two years, but she believes that "Painting didn't give me what I needed. it was useful as a simple and short-term experience, but I couldn't express myself through this art." Ganji switched to pottery after some years, and she has been engaged in pottery for eight years now. She learnt this art from master Ebrahimzadeh for three years. Regarding her master, Ganji said, "He doesn't work in traditional style and applies new methods.
It was what I liked. Designers on pottery works are usually traditional, but I wanted to present a modern work by applying traditional principles." Ganji, who owes her success to encouragement of her master and her relatives and parents, said, "By learning and working on this art, I attained peace of mind and I found what I had searched for." Speaking about the specifications of this art, Ganji said, "Every branch of art has its own difficulties.
Pottery is a hard and manly task because it needs physical power a little bit.
It needs a powerful hand to knead the wet clay. But I even enjoy pressing and stretching the clay. Moreover, it is an art that soon yields its outcome. So after a short while, you can create beautiful works." She went on to say, "The raw material used for this art is clay, which is the most accessible thing in nature.
So it is not an expensive art and you don't have to spend a lot of money on this. The only thing which it needs is love and patience.
One should undergo mortification in order to be a real artist.
" On designing the earthenware, Ganji said, "Making designs on the works is the most important and delicate part of the job.
When the clay is still wet and is formed as a dish, vase or any other kind of earthenware, the designs should be given to it." She further said," Some of my designs are innovated by myself.
For example, sometimes I use the designs on the carpets and at other times, I use the designs of books and other pottery works." Comparing the foreign pottery works with the Iranian ones, Ganji said, "Foreign pottery works are glazed but we usually prefer to show the natural color of clay and hardly use glaze.
But they have new and attractive designs." On the lack of world attention to the Iranian pottery, she said, "It is our fault.
Maybe there is not enough publicity about this art." Regarding her future plans, Ganji said, "I want to work harder and harder to achieve great success in the world and I want to be introduced to the world as a female Iranian artist who can bring honor on her country." Ganji has so far held one group exhibition and one solo exhibition, which she said were warmly welcomed by the people.
On the role of women in development of the country, Ganji said, "I cannot see any obstacle to women's progress. A woman, as a member of society, should love her country and work for its development.
Fortunately, the Iranian women are active in all areas, and this is a sign of a bright future for the country."