Crafts Create Culture

Carpet weavers, ceramics workshops and woodcarving studios have characterised Tehran's culture for centuries. Mohammad has visited artists and craftspeople and documented traditional Iranian handicrafts with his camera. He is a graduate of the journalism training course "Photojournalism and Visual Storytelling" with trainer Sven Creutzmann, where the photo series was created.

A sisterhood for elegance

"Nestled within the bustling city of Teheran, lies a workshop where two sisters, Samira and Mahsa Batebi (second and third from the right), along with their female colleagues, meticulously craft ceramic utensils such as bowls, cups or ashtrays. During the busy workday of 25 April 2024, they took a moment to pose for the camera at their workshop, Miatra. The name "Miatra" is a creative blend of the two sisters' first and last names, combining elements from each to represent their collaboration and unique partnership." Their artistry pays homage to the rich history of Iranian handicrafts. Their self-employment allows for a unique blend of tradition and innovation, as they breathe new life into their cultural heritage.

Ceramic Canvas

Mahsa Batebi paints a ceramic utensil with great care. Surrounded by a table full of colourful paint buckets, she chooses the perfect hues to bring her creation to life. As a proud business owner, Mahsa's passion for her craft contributes to preserving the vibrant traditions of Iranian pottery. These traditions have played a significant role in Iran's rich cultural history for centuries.

Morning sun in mythical corridors

“In the traditional Bazaar of Hamedan, time-worn walls and a mix of closed and open shops bear witness to the passage of centuries. On an early morning in spring, an elderly man walks a historic path within the traditional bazaar. Shops are opening and patrons browse the wares beneath beams of light filtering through the bazaar's aged structure. Hamadan Traditional Bazaar is one of the famous traditional markets of Iran and most of its buildings date back to the Qajar dynasty (1789–1925). This complex, covering an area of about 30 hectares, consists of 40 rows of stalls and 26 inns and caravanserais."

Tough as leather

The craftsman, Majid Mohammadi, sits in his workshop in the Hamedan Traditional Bazaar. For decades, Majid Mohammadi has devoted himself to mastering the art of leatherworking, continuously refining his skills and developing innovative techniques. Along the way, he has generously shared his knowledge with numerous workers and students, ensuring the preservation and advancement of this traditional craft. His workshop is called “Toranj”, named after the bergamot orange fruit. In Persian art and culture, "Toranj" is also a pattern made of flowers, leaves and delicate designs. This pattern can be found in many traditional Iranian artworks such as paintings, carpets and rugs."

A master of his trade

"With a practiced eye and steady hand, craftsman Majid Mohammadi meticulously organizes the thin leather strips he has just cut, carefully preparing each piece for the next step in the belt-making process.

Powerful hands for fine cuts

With remarkable skill and accuracy, Majid Mohammadi uses his self-made cutting tools to transform a large leather sheet into delicate strips. These strips will be expertly transformed into an exquisite, one-of-a-kind leather belt.

Still life without customers

"Among the cacophony of Dezful's traditional bazaar, shopkeeper Mehran Pourrokni waits for customers, surrounded by his handcrafted iron creations on a normal day last December. The thriving market for Iranian blacksmiths has been strongly affected by the rising cost of living and also the influx of Chinese imports. Despite the challenges, Pourrokni remains steadfast, carrying on his trade legacy and hoping for a return to the golden days of blacksmithing in Iran."

Hiding place from the sun

"On a sweltering 23 May, 2024, Techno Sanat metal turning workshop in the expansive Dezful Industrial Town in Khuzestan, a province on the Persian Gulf, perseveres amid the unrelenting heat, with temperatures often surpassing 50°C. While cars roast in the midday sun, workers find refuge inside their workshops, unwaveringly honing their craft amidst the industrious buzz of the workshops. The name "Techno Sanat" is a blend of two words: "Techniques" from English and "Sanat" from Persian, meaning "Industry." This name reflects the workshop's focus on combining technical skills and artistic creativity. The workshop's owner, Mansour Nikafrooz, is a former wooden sculpture artist who transitioned to metal-turning 30 years ago, bringing his artistic expertise to this new craft." Situated in southwestern Iran, Dezful in Khuzestan experiences a hot and humid climate characterized by scorching summers and mild Mediterranean winters. During the peak of summer, temperatures in the city can soar to a sweltering 50 degrees Celsius or more.

Transforming chaos into order

"Masoud Nikafrooz, the younger brother of the workshop’s owner and a skilled lathe worker, meticulously moves machine parts for repair within Techno Sanat's bustling workshop. Formerly a carpenter, Masoud Nikafrooz transitioned to lathe work as demands shifted, combining his passion for craftsmanship with newfound opportunity."

Portrait of a metal worker

"Amidst the stifling heat of the workshop, Masoud Nikafrooz's face reveals a blend of exhaustion and fervour as he pauses to pose for the camera. Using a crane, he tries to position a weighty machine piece on the desktop drill."

Teamwork

Masoud Nikafrouz and Mohammad Mohammad Saeed use their expertise to drill a heavy machine component on the desktop drilling machine. Despite the difficult task, they stay focused and dedicated, each movement showcasing the dangers of their craft.

Portrait of a metal worker II

"Mohammad Mohammad Saeed has worked for over 15 years at the Techno-Industry Turning Workshop, acquiring many skills in this craft."

Lord of the woods

Mohsen Kaveh is renowned as one of Iran's leading wood marquetry inlay masters. Wood inlay involves creating diverse designs and motifs using wood with a blend of colours, textures and patterns. His art gallery is situated within the Iranian Art Museum in Teheran, Iran. The gallery's name, "Camin and Kaman," is inspired by Persian literature, drawing from a metaphorical concept. This metaphor compares the lover's attempt to capture the beloved's heart to an archer's careful aim with a bow and arrow. This image symbolizes the depth of the lover's devotion and the extent to which they are willing to go to express their affection.

Preparing the inlays

In his workshop, Mohsen Kaveh carefully draws a design on a sheet of raw wood, the first step in a painstaking process which transforms it into a work of art using the intricate art of wood inlay.

From generation to generation

"In the marquetry workshop of artist Mohsen Kaveh, the delicate art of wood inlay begins with the first stroke of a pencil on raw wood. Under his watchful eye, a student learns the meticulous craft, sketching with precision and artistry to lay the groundwork for a one-of-a-kind inlay masterpiece."

Turning old into new

Artisans labour meticulously in this historic carpet workshop in Teheran to restore these traditional handmade carpets to their former glory and breathe new life into them. Their expertise ensures that these exquisite works of art will beautify the homes of discerning collectors in Europe and America after being sold on the international market. Every day, most of these talented craftsmen migrate from different rural areas around Tehran to work in this workshop.”

A stitch for the family, a stitch for tradition

"A skilled carpet maker repairs the edge of a rug. With each stitch, he strives to provide for his family and contribute to the preservation of the rich carpet weaving heritage."

From an old workshop to the global stage

Numerous restored carpets and rugs fill this busy storage area, ready for shipment to global markets. The walls are decorated with a variety of colourful threads. Persian carpets were first mentioned around 400 BC by the Greek author, Xenophon, in his book "Anabasis". He already described them as precious and worthy to be diplomatic gifts. Persian rugs and carpets of various types were woven in parallel by nomadic tribes in village and town workshops as well as by royal court manufactories. As such, they reflect the history of Iran, Persian culture and its various peoples.

New life for old carpets

"In this old workshop, generations of craftsmanship come to life as skilled artisans labour over the intricate restoration of traditional Persian rugs. The room is decorated with colours and textures, with every corner adorned by the vibrant threads which breathe new life into these beloved pieces of heritage."

Colourful wealth of experience

" An elderly craftsman is the master of colour in the workshop. He meticulously revives the faded hues of traditional Persian rugs. His experienced hands mix and blend pigments, bringing new life and vibrancy to these precious pieces of history."

Posing for tradition

"The foreman of the carpet-weaving workshop stands proudly, surrounded by colourful threads which his team uses to carefully repair Persian rugs. He and his team of skilled artisans work hard to keep the tradition of handmade Persian rugs alive."

Pausing for Allah

"During his midday prayer, a rug restorer pauses to say prayer. His current restoration project lies behind him in the middle of his workshop. After he has finished his work, the colours will be as radiant as on the day the carpet was completed."

About the Photographer

Meet the Photographer

Mohammad Nikafrooz

Mohammad Nikafrooz is a photographer and content developer based in Tehran, Iran. Additionally, he is a graduate in language teaching and the author of a German grammar book designed to help Iranian learners by highlighting the similarities between Persian and German. Mohammad successfully completed the SHARE journalism training course “Photojournalism and Visual Storytelling" with trainer Sven Creutzmann. When not immersed in photography, Mohammad continues to explore the intersections of culture, art and industry, striving to share the untold stories of his homeland with the world.  