By Syma Sayyah, Tehran
Morteza Momayez, the
father of graphic art in Iran,
who died on Friday night after a long and painful struggle, was buried on
November 28.
The burial took
place after a ceremony at Artists' Forum (Khaneh Honarmandan) – the large
gallery there is named after him.
Thousands had come to
say their final goodbyes. Young and old, men and women, modern and
traditionalists, artists and art lovers, painters, photographers, poets,
writers, filmmakers, journalists, students and teachers; and of course many
graphic artists were there.
Some were close
friends, some were colleagues or admirers or were simply ordinary people who
knew his work and his place in Iranian modern art. Despite the huge crowd there
was very little noise as there was heaviness in the air, a great sense of loss.
When I got there about
8:45AM, the place was packed and still people were coming from all directions.
There were speeches but few heard them as the sound system was not working. The
wrapped body was then moved; carried by so many of his friends, students,
followers, workers and admirers. The ambulance was to take him on his last
journey to the cemetery at Kordan, a small village outside Karaj.
I have been to that
village a few times in the past, and twice to the cemetery for burials. The
first time I went there, I thought what a lovely place to be buried, as one
truly feels the great sense of vast space, peace and tranquility. It is so
beautiful in spring when all these hills are covered with lovely wild flowers.
His wife, Afsaneh
Badri and his brother were there among friends and other relatives. It must be
harder than ever for them to mourn their loss when their lost beloved is a
national treasure and they have to share it with so many others at such
time.
The last time I saw Mr. Momayez was at the Niavaran Cultural Center at the opening of Mr Fakhraddin Fakhraddini's portrait exhibition. His own
big portrait was there as one entered the saloon. Even then he
looked very ill and everyone was so happy that he had managed to come despite
his illness.
I got to know Mr
Momayez's fame and his works when I first started to work upon my return to
Iran in the late 70's. But it
was only about seven years ago, after the tragic death of his beloved first wife
Firouzeh, that I got to meet him and know him in person through my dear friend
Lili. Later he married Ms Afsaneh Badri who is a yoga teacher, a very
caring lady, who was completely devoted to him.
I met so many friends
at the ceremony, and some of them had known Mr Momayez since student days, those
who had worked with him, lived with him and cared for him. Many recalled happy
and sad memories.
When I was riding in
the one of the many buses which were provided to go to Kordan, a young lady
journalist said to me: "It is a great pity that many young people learn about
our great names, which are part of our modern heritage, only after they die and
leave us". I do hope that this will be a good time for all of us in whatever
capacity to educate our young ones of others who are still with us, before we
lose another of our best talents. May we learn to know them and appreciate their
work so that we may have less to regret in future.
I am sure you will
join me in expressing deepest sympathy to his family, especially his wife and
brother, and hope that his soul is resting in peace.
Some related
articles
There is an exhibition
of some of his works at Mann Honar-Nou from
29th Nov-
7th Dec. (8-16th Azar 1384) 4-8 P.M.. The address is:
Tehran, Shariatie Ave., Shahid Yazdan-Pour No 31
