In Conversation with Iranian Artist Mohammad Barrangi
“Award winning Iranian artist Mohammad Barrangi to transform Edinburgh Printmakers for first solo exhibition in Scotland
Printmaker and Paralympic athlete to share new works in Anything Is Possible which runs from 22nd Jan 2022 to 27th March at Edinburgh Printmakers”
“Mohammad Barrangi was born in Rasht, Iran, 1988, and is now based in the UK between London and Leeds. He is an artist, illustrator and medal-winning international athlete with a disability in his left hand. After studying art, he moved into book illustration graduating from the Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon in 2011, majoring in graphic design. Barrangi subsequently completed his MA studies at the Royal Drawing School of London.
Barrangi has since exhibited internationally, won numerous illustration awards and has recently had works acquired by the British Museum, Royal Collection Trust, and San Diego Museum of Art Collection. During a private viewing for ‘Best of The Drawing Year 2019-20’ at Christie’s, London, Barrangi noted ‘I always say I live in a wonderland where anything is possible. You do not need a passport to travel to my world. Everyone lives in a common world and a land. In my world, animals talk. Humans and animals have one nature –a combination of human and animal. And in my world, all heroes are women.’ Formerly resident at The Arthouse Wakefield, Barrangi has a forthcoming presentation with ICF and Block 336 Brixton.”
Original Magazine: We are big fans of your artworks, in particular how you combine the contemporary printmaking techniques with traditional practices. Can you explain in more detail how you brought these techniques together? Was this a harmonious process?
Mohammad Barrangi: I draw with Iranian calligraphy pen , And then I collage them with the help of my feet، And then I print with the help of a photocopy and finally I print on the paper that I painted myself. This combination and print helps me to have old and airy works, which makes me feel good.
O.M: Who or what inspires your artistry? Are there any themes or motifs that influence your work and thought process?
M.B: Emotion tells me what to create, The feeling of loneliness, and the migration that is always with me... And a language that I can only communicate with others through art
Usually the characters I use are women, Because women are always heroes for me ..
I see my soul in their body.. She can be a mother, a friend or a lover. I hear my friends' voices and thrive on their lives through their stories. A girl named Tanaz.. She told me "I had always been a queen flying on a dragon..." I made her dream come true in my last work.
O.M: Reflecting on your own experiences as an artist with a disability, have you come across any challenges or adversity when breaking into the art industry? If so, how did you overcome such challenges?
M.B: Life has always been a challenge for me. People look at my hand ... and I hid from embarrassment, And loneliness and loneliness. At school I had a hard time enrolling، Because they thought that a person with a disability could not be a photographer or a painter. But I insisted.. Life has always been in turmoil for me, but I always fought for it.. I say life because art is my whole life.
O.M: What advice would you give to any emerging talents with a disability, who are facing challenges or adversity today?
M.B: Just try to live، Do not be disappointed... People like us always have to try many times harder than others. And avoid the pity of others.
O.M: We would also like to say a massive congratulations on representing your country in the Paralympics! What an extraordinary and inspiring achievement. Had you always wanted to become a Paralympian? How was this journey for you?
M.B: I love sports .. I never exercised to become a champion .. but I tried to be successful in sports، This period was very instructive for me
Because running and becoming a hero is like real life .. One day you are a hero and maybe not another day
O.M: With your participation as an athlete and Paralympian, has this contributed to the influences on your work? Or are they simply different entities?
M.B: Yes, it must have had an effect .. Maybe I owe my resilience and courage in working out to exercising. Exercising and running created new cells in my brain، And it makes me use my creativity better.
