Iranian artists in the spotlight at the Biennale of illustrations in Bratislava

TEHRAN – The Bratislava Biennial of Illustrations (BIB) in Czech honored Iranian artists Ghazal Fathollahi and Mohammad Barrangi Fashtami with BIB plaques.

Fathollahi received the honor for his illustrations for “You are an Explorer” (also translated as “We are Explorers”).

The book written by Shahrzad Shahrjerdi was also published by La Maleta, a publisher from the Autonomous Community of Asturias, in northwestern Spain.

The book shows brotherhood, imagination, collaboration and self-improvement against the pain of war. This book, through the love between two brothers and their imagination, leads us to reflect on the hardships suffered by some people as a result of conflicts in their country of origin which force them to leave their homes in search of something. better.

Barrangi was honored for his illustrations in “Simorgh, a Story from Attar Neyshaburi’s Mantiq at-Tayr” streamlined by Marjan Fuladvand for children and young adults.

Simorgh (Phoenix), a bird of Iranian mythology and literature, plays an important role in some Persian classics, such as the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by Ferdowsi and the Mantiq at-Tayr (The Conference of the Birds).

In Attar’s parable-shaped poem, the birds of the world come together to decide who will be their ruler. The hoopoe, the wisest of all, suggests they find the legendary Simorgh. At the end of the long journey, there are only about thirty birds left. They realize that they themselves are the leader they are looking for.

Young and talented London-based Iranian illustrator Barrangi uses his feet and toes to paint instead of his disabled hand. This is why her images have their own unique look. In his works, he combines elements of Persian calligraphy, Eastern stories and images, and classical Western painting.

A nine-member jury, including Brenda Dales from the United States, Victoria Fomina from Russia and Renata Fucikova from Czech, also honored Mamiko Shiotani from Japan for “The Story of Egg, Dale Blankenaar from South Africa for” Quill Soup ” and Armando Fonseca from Mexico for “The Howling” with BIB plates.

Due to the pandemic, the jury met online and the BIB Grand Prix went to Spanish illustrator Elena Odriozola for “Mixed Feelings”.

Lee Myung Ae of South Korea for “Tomorrow will be a sunny day” and Amanda Mijangos, Armando Fonseca and Juan Palomino of Mexico for “The Sea” are among the five Golden Apples winners.

Sylvie Bello from France for “The First Snow”, Anna and Varvara Kendel from Russia for “To the North, Our Earth Breathes” and Chao Zhang from China for “Poetry and Painting Collection, Story of Grandma’s Snowflower” also received other golden apples.

Verzone from Czech for “Ludwig van Beethoven”, Topipittori from Italy for “The First Snow” and Zahori Books from Spain for “Lost Landscapes” were the editors who won honorable mentions.

Photo: This combined photo shows the covers of Iranian books that won the BIB plaques at the Bratislava Art Biennale.

MMS / YAW