“Iran’s history is not written, it’s woven”: How Nafir practises the art of resistance

Nafir. Photo: Makar Artemev Nafir’s art looks you right in the eye. Born in Tehran, their work draws inspiration from traditional Iranian culture and takes aim at censorship and social issues, often featuring faces – and they don’t want you to look away. After a first foray into graffiti in 2008, Nafir eventually developed an artistic style that’s heavy on stencils and spray paint, using carpets and ceramics from Persian culture to twist traditional textures to provoke thought. Their work has been popping up around the globe for over a decade, but now both Nafir and their art have found a home in Berlin. Currently, the artist is preparing for an exhibition with photographer Mischa Fanghänel opening this month at Galerie Grolman, titled ‘Never ending fight‘, for which they’re focusing on painting Berliners. I am obsessed with textures and my goal is for my art to be living between these textures. “[Their] artworks convey such a deep love and gratitude for the beauty of Iranian culture,” the gallery says of Nafir. “To quote the artist, ‘it is the texture that chooses the picture it will hold’.” We sat down with Nafir to see what they’ll apply his discerning touch to...