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Iran's Banksy: 'The walls in my city are the canvas for my paintings' Iran's Banksy: 'The walls in my city are the canvas for my paintings'
(about 1 hour later)
In the streets near Tehran’s Hasheminejad hospital, home to a major kidney transplant centre, a patchwork of phone numbers and blood types is sprayed on the walls of public or private properties.In the streets near Tehran’s Hasheminejad hospital, home to a major kidney transplant centre, a patchwork of phone numbers and blood types is sprayed on the walls of public or private properties.
The message is clear: In the only country where organ trade is legal, destitute Iranians are advertising their kidneys, turning the streets of the capital into the eBay of kidneys. “A+, 22 years old” reads one ad alongside a phone number. The message is clear: in the only country where organ trade is legal, destitute Iranians are advertising their kidneys, turning the streets of the capital into the eBay of kidneys. “A+, 22 years old” reads one ad alongside a phone number.
The street artist Black Hand, known as Iran’s Banksy, has used stencilling techniques to satirise the grim dilemma – one mural depicts an auction for a kidney.The street artist Black Hand, known as Iran’s Banksy, has used stencilling techniques to satirise the grim dilemma – one mural depicts an auction for a kidney.
When Black Hand returned to the scene in north Tehran hours later to take a better look at the finished piece, it had already disappeared. The authorities, who view such graffiti as subversive, were quick to remove it.When Black Hand returned to the scene in north Tehran hours later to take a better look at the finished piece, it had already disappeared. The authorities, who view such graffiti as subversive, were quick to remove it.
In an interview with the Guardian, Black Hand said the city and its people serve as inspiration. “Life in the city is what motivates me … I have more freedom to develop ideas and perform them in this form of art.”In an interview with the Guardian, Black Hand said the city and its people serve as inspiration. “Life in the city is what motivates me … I have more freedom to develop ideas and perform them in this form of art.”
Under widespread state censorship, visual and conceptual art in Iran has a limited audience, confined to private galleries or intellectual gatherings. By taking the works to public walls, Black Hand hopes to break that habit.Under widespread state censorship, visual and conceptual art in Iran has a limited audience, confined to private galleries or intellectual gatherings. By taking the works to public walls, Black Hand hopes to break that habit.
“The public has a right to see the art. I chose street art because I want to guard against the galleries’ monopoly. Our intellectual and artistic society are underestimating and ignoring ordinary people’s power.” “The public has a right to see the art. I chose street art because I want to guard against the galleries’ monopoly. Our intellectual and artistic society are underestimating and ignoring ordinary people’s power.
The artist added: “I prefer my work to be seen in public by the very same people who are not taken seriously enough. I feel that the walls in my city are the canvas for my paintings. The city is the biggest gallery with the biggest audience.” “I prefer my work to be seen in public by the very same people who are not taken seriously enough. I feel that the walls in my city are the canvas for my paintings. The city is the biggest gallery with the biggest audience.”
Street walls in Iran have long been used for protest. In the years before the 1979 revolution, thousands of revolutionaries and students took to the streets at night to spray their slogans on public property. “Down with the Shah,” became a familiar mural as revolutionaries won momentum for his overthrow.Street walls in Iran have long been used for protest. In the years before the 1979 revolution, thousands of revolutionaries and students took to the streets at night to spray their slogans on public property. “Down with the Shah,” became a familiar mural as revolutionaries won momentum for his overthrow.
Today, Iranian authorities only tolerate state-sponsored graffiti and wall paintings. Murals in Tehran and other Iranian cities usually show martyrs of the eight-year war with Iraq and revolutionary figures. Even these murals, dominated by men, are subject to censorship.Today, Iranian authorities only tolerate state-sponsored graffiti and wall paintings. Murals in Tehran and other Iranian cities usually show martyrs of the eight-year war with Iraq and revolutionary figures. Even these murals, dominated by men, are subject to censorship.
That’s why Black Hand feels compelled to stay anonymous. “I hide my identity for security reasons. Under the Iranian municipality laws, writing on walls or advertising without official permission is a crime.” That is why Black Hand feels compelled to stay anonymous. “I hide my identity for security reasons. Under the Iranian municipality laws, writing on walls or advertising without official permission is a crime.”
Another piece highlights the popular cause of Iranian women, who are banned from joining men at football matches in stadiums. The graffiti shows an Iranian woman in her country’s national jersey while wearing gloves and holding dishwashing liquid, as if raising up a trophy.Another piece highlights the popular cause of Iranian women, who are banned from joining men at football matches in stadiums. The graffiti shows an Iranian woman in her country’s national jersey while wearing gloves and holding dishwashing liquid, as if raising up a trophy.
Many might see the works as a means to protest but Black Hand said art was a way to find peace. “I work on the issues that are happening in my country. We wake up with them, we live with them and we sleep with them. Art aside, being able to express these issues by itself can help you find peace.Many might see the works as a means to protest but Black Hand said art was a way to find peace. “I work on the issues that are happening in my country. We wake up with them, we live with them and we sleep with them. Art aside, being able to express these issues by itself can help you find peace.
“I love life and I love living next to other people. People’s relations with each other fascinate me and I want to work on humans more than anything else. My aim is to communicate with other humans.”“I love life and I love living next to other people. People’s relations with each other fascinate me and I want to work on humans more than anything else. My aim is to communicate with other humans.”
The artist said Banksy’s works had been a huge inspiration. “You learn from Banksy. Banksy is the most important and serious street artist who has become a living graffiti encyclopedia for others.”The artist said Banksy’s works had been a huge inspiration. “You learn from Banksy. Banksy is the most important and serious street artist who has become a living graffiti encyclopedia for others.”
Black Hand said Banksy’s stencilling technique also helped produce the clandestine art more quickly. “I asked myself how Banksy could be defined in Iran’s sociocultural and political atmosphere? I needed a technique to be able to do my art in a very short period of time.”Black Hand said Banksy’s stencilling technique also helped produce the clandestine art more quickly. “I asked myself how Banksy could be defined in Iran’s sociocultural and political atmosphere? I needed a technique to be able to do my art in a very short period of time.”
Over the past few months, Black Hand continued to reflect on social and political events. As diplomats from Iran and six major powers gathered in Vienna to find a way out of the decades-long impasse over Tehran’s nuclear programme, one graffiti gave a simple message: “Enough fighting, continue with diplomacy.” As bloodshed in Gaza continued, Black Hand simply splashed a Tehran wall with red paint.Over the past few months, Black Hand continued to reflect on social and political events. As diplomats from Iran and six major powers gathered in Vienna to find a way out of the decades-long impasse over Tehran’s nuclear programme, one graffiti gave a simple message: “Enough fighting, continue with diplomacy.” As bloodshed in Gaza continued, Black Hand simply splashed a Tehran wall with red paint.