Nafir 1

Nafir / Unknown

Urban Art, Graffiti

December 16, 2014

Iranian artist Nafir through his work, fights the political censorship and social problems in his country. He has adopted a moniker from a Persian poem that means "scream" to protect his identity. The artist has created over 1000 pieces on the streets of Tehran. However, today maybe one or two are left. The authorities, who are well aware of his work, cover up his artwork within 24 hours. Nafir's popularity soared once he discovered the beauty of ancient Persian rugs and incorporated them into his work. Today his artworks can be found all around the world, including in Germany, Iran, Georgia, Netherlands, Turkey, Malaysia, India, Norway, Afghanistan, and Switzerland.  

Nafir - Believe in Cold Season, 2015
Nafir - Believe in Cold Season, 2015. Spray Paint and acrylic on canvas; 148 x 100 cm

Double Life

In 2007 when Nafir saw a graffiti piece that completely amazed him, he began tagging on the streets of Teheran. In a highly censored regime, it is hard for the artist to maintain his identity hidden. Thus he simultaneously works two jobs. During the day, he works a regular job, and at night he creates art as an illegal street artist.

For the artist, every time he goes on the street to create, he faces the danger of imprisonment, but that does not frighten him. He does most of the work at midnight with several close friends who keep a watch. Nafir avoids giving interviews in his country because of fear that the secret police will find out his identity.

In 2014 the England-based print house Graffiti Prints discovered his work and began selling it online. In collaboration with them, he was able for the first time to travel abroad and participate in a group exhibition Different Strokes in Malaysia.

Nafir - Tear Gas
Nafir - Tear Gas. Original stencil on paper 100% cotton acid free 310grm; White floated box frame; 100 x 70 cm

Nafir's Unique Persian Carpets

Nafir began his career as a street artist inspired by Black le Rat, Banksy, and Jef Aerosol. However, after some time, he began painting on Persian carpets and ceramics with sprays and stencils. The change happened after talking with his father, an expert in traditional Persian rugs. He has successfully combined two things that should not work together, the complex geometry of carpet weaving and street art. The self-taught artist has explained that he does not choose the picture he will create. Instead, it depends entirely on the texture, which makes every piece completely unique.

Nafir does not only make statements about the current political situation in Iran. One of his most famous street pieces is the shadow man with the word Iran on his T-shirt,  giving a middle finger to Donald Trump. The artist stays up to date with the international events and often incorporates them into his work.

Nafir - Likism
Nafir - Likism. Spray Paint and acryl on canvas; 70 x 100 cm

Traveling the World

In 2021 Nafir traveled to Italy to paint walls as part of the 25Novembre.org project. The same year he showcased his work in a solo exhibition titled You Will Never Can't Stop Because You Know How To Stop at Davide Rossillo Contemporary, Italy. He also traveled to Berlin, where he made several pieces on Bülowstraße.

Nafir lives and works in Tehran, Iran.

Featured image: Photo of Nafir. All images copyright of the artist

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