The Reflection of Love of the Great Artist in Her Donation to MAHAK

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, the first contemporary artist who has used Iranian Aineh Kari (Mirror Work), donated her masterpiece to MAHAK in support of cancer-stricken children. The unveiling ceremony of this artwork was held on July 13, 2018 with the presence of Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti Deputy Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization; Hadi Mozaffari, Director General at the Department of Visual Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance; a number of artists in the field of culture and art such as Iran Darroudi, Goli Emami, Firoozeh Aghdashloo, Negar Kalantari, Faramarz Gharibian, Houshang Kamkar, Manouchehr Niazi, Gholamreza Nami, Hadi Hazavei, Iraj Tahmasb, Dariush Zahedi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, Mohamadreza Manteghi; specialists in the field of pediatric cancer treatment; MAHAK’s boards of trustees and directors along with its supporters and volunteers on July 13, 2018. The donation of this artwork to MAHAK, created in 2014, represents the artist’s attention to social issues and her efforts to address these concerns by observing her social responsibility.

Being supported by the artistic community with the collaboration of the first Iranian female artist whose works have been exhibited in so many renowned exhibitions such as Guggenheim Museum in New York created this opportunity for MAHAK to represent its concern of supporting cancer-stricken children and their families through an artistic viewpoint. In this ceremony Dr. Farbood Farhi, member of MAHAK’s board of trustees focusing on the collaboration of the artists in the path of supporting cancer-stricken children, said: “We believe that art is the best way to indicate how great Iranian people are in changing the impossibilities into possibilities. We at MAHAK, every day witness the realization of great dreams which are entangled to the great efforts of our supporters as a result of which we can provide the best treatment and support services to cancer-stricken children. MAHAK always tries to be a trustee of benefactors’ philanthropy and altruism.”

In this ceremony which the artists congregated to fulfill the commitments of this organization in line with providing treatment and support services to cancer-stricken children, Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti, Deputy Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization was also present. In his statement he said: “The artworks of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian have much to say in short and simple. This means that her artistic expression is understandable for every person with whom it is faced. Moreover the painting brush of this artist is mirror and her artistic language is light. This is the most magnificent work of art which has been installed at MAHAK”. He added: “This masterpiece has been donated to MAHAK to appreciate its activities so that such a great artist as Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian will be one of the individuals who collaborate with this organization. I recommend you to look at this masterpiece since it works like a relief to all the pains. Since it is MAHAK’s mission to support cancer-stricken children and their families, this artwork is a suitable token for this organization.”

The artworks of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian have been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries throughout the world such as Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. Now one of her works, which consists of two pieces of Muqarnas, and 20 triangular mirrors, is installed at the entrance of MAHAK’s building number 2. It is for the first time that one of her masterpieces has been installed in a charity instead of a museum. Ali-Naghi Farmanfarmaian, Mrs. Farmanfarmaian’s brother-in-law, about the donation of this masterpiece said: “In addition to being a great artist and a treasure for the country, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian is a great wife and mother. Moreover, she is an international artist who is also known as a successful Iranian woman in the world for devoting her art to solving social concerns.”

MAHAK after more than a quarter-century of being active in this field has always benefited from the attention and art of the artists and  relied on the great power of art and the esteemed artists and benefactors in providing treatment and support services to cancer-stricken children. Goli Emami, writer, translator and cultural activist, began her speech by appreciating Mrs. Farmanfarmaian and all who provide services to the society by observing their social responsibility. In addition, she shared her good memories of Mrs. Farmanfarmaian and said: “I have come to MAHAK with the memory of my husband today, to thank Monir Farmanfarmaian for donating this masterpiece to MAHAK. This artwork has been created with philanthropist aims and is placed in its real place.”

Artists have always paid attention to their fundamental missions which are being concerned about social issues and in the same vein have accompanied MAHAK as an organization trying to be transparent and accountable with the support of benefactors for the past 27 years, by donating their most valuable possession which is their art to MAHAK. In the same vein, Saideh Ghods, the founder of MAHAK, appreciated Mrs. Farmanfarmaian for her philanthropist activities and said:” MAHAK owes the civil society and Iranian people for all of its achievements. This artistic ceremony is being held to commemorate Monir Farmanfarmaian who is always a number one in her own field. The installation of this masterpiece at MAHAK is a memorial to mark the valuable role of women who are the custodians of Iran, like angels.”

Arasb Ahmadian, the CEO of MAHAK, paid tribute to the donation of such a magnificent work and declared that: “This is the first time that such a masterpiece is installed in a place other than a museum and it is a great honor for the ever-expanding family of MAHAK. On this day, MAHAK Charity, named its newly opened museum and library after this esteemed artist. We hope that along with providing comprehensive support for cancer-stricken children, which is occurring with whole-hearted support of the benefactors, in the 50th year of MAHAK’s establishment, MAHAK’s museum will be a treasury for invaluable works of Iranian artists. “

In the end of this ceremony, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian unveiled her masterpiece along with hoping pride and honor for Iran. Later, Iran Darroudi, a great painter, writer and art critic along with highlighting the fact that commemorating this artist is a great responsibility, presented the painting of supporting children of MAHAK to Mrs. Farmanfarmaian. This ceremony ended with one of MAHAK’ cancer survivor’s playing Santur.

MAHAK is always grateful to all the artists who do not forget about humanitarian concerns during their artistic life and choose this organization to observe their social responsibility. We hope that by installing the great artwork of one of the greatest artists of sculpting field at MAHAK, we will witness the reflection of love, well-being of Iranians through these mirrors.