TEHRAN -- Latest calligraphy and calligraphy-painting works by Esrafil Shirchi have been put on display in an exhibit at the Niavaran Cultural Center that opened on November 6.

A collection of 50 recent works and 20 older ones all with the central theme of ‘love’ and bearing excerpts from poetry by Molana Jalal ad-Din Rumi will be on display until November 16.
Calligrapher Nasrollah Afjeii who was present at the opening ceremony made a brief speech and said, “I must emphasize that there is a huge difference between the art of calligraphy and calligraphy-painting since each comes from a different world.
“Calligraphy is the art of inscribing, striving, and writing in an ornate and aesthetically pleasing style. What we have today was acquired over the last 400 years, and we strive diligently to reproduce and learn the skill. Afterwards, we reach the point of mastery and enter the world of art,” he explained.
“But in calligraphy-painting, the artist uses either painting as the central medium or calligraphy as the central medium. Many calligraphers have introduced paintings into their works especially during the 1960’s and 70’s in Tehran, where artists frequently used calligraphy in their paintings.
“Master miniaturist Sadeq Tabrizi was one of the pioneers who used calligraphy in his works, as well as Hossein Zendehrudi, and then afterwards come Mohammad Ehsaii and other masters,” he added.
He later pointed to Shirchi’s works on display and said, “This exhibit and the works indicate that Shirchi has been an excellent student. He has extensive knowledge of the colors, knows calligraphy well, and each one of his works shows a different aspect of composition.”
Shirchi also gave a short speech and talked about his December tour of the United States, and said, “I am planning to exhibit a selection of my works in the cities of New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. I also intend to give several lectures there.”
Shirchi has recently returned from his Europe tour.