فارسیMojtaba Ramzi, an Iranian sculptor, was born in Tehran in 1973. After receiving a diploma in graphic design (1991), he continued his university education with a bachelor’s degree in painting at Shahed University (1997) and then a master’s degree in animation directing at Tarbiat Modares University (2002).His professional career in sculpture began in 1993; a path that, according to the artist himself, was formed experimentally and simultaneously with his education, and continued in constant interaction with his students. This process was later continued in a space called “Halgheh Atelier”.
Over the course of more than three decades of artistic activity, Ramzi, in addition to creating sculptural works, has taught sculpture, design, and animation at universities and educational centers, including Shahed University, Shariati University, Tarbiat Modares University, and Alam va Farhang University, and has also been professionally active in the field of puppet animation. He has also held numerous workshops and training courses on sculpture techniques.
The visual identity of Ramzi’s works is best known for its representation of animals, mythical creatures, and combinations of the two. Animals in his works are sometimes shaped with a realistic approach, sometimes inspired by ancient art and mythology, and are embodied in the form of composite creatures such as sphinxes and other zoomorphic creatures.Attention to ancient Iranian culture, prehistoric art, ancient Iran, and Mesopotamia is prominent in the form, symbolism, and narrative structure of his works. The owl is also one of the symbols that recurs in many of his works and has become a tool for expressing the artist’s intended concepts.
The central themes in Ramsey’s works revolve around concepts such as life, freedom, destiny, fate, and luck. He attempts to present a contemporary narrative of human concerns by contemporizing myths and reinterpreting ancient symbols. The “Casino Eden” series is a prime example of this approach;A collection that, by utilizing mythological symbols and referring to the concept of luck and gambling, reminds us of the role of fate in human life.The use of aluminum and bronze in these works is seen as a conceptual replacement for gold and silver in mythological artifacts, adding to the work’s semantic load. His bronze sculptures, combining story, symbolism, and precise technical execution, engage the audience in a narrative and multi-layered world.
In expressing his sources of inspiration, Ramzi points to nature, animals, mythological beliefs, as well as the art of unknown artists of ancient civilizations. In addition, he considers music, cinema, and especially literature to be fundamental elements in the process of creating his works, describing literature as “the purest and most direct form of artistic creation.”In his belief, even the most personal works of art are rooted in a social and cultural context, and the artist is a product of his cultural lifeworld. He also emphasizes that he does not use digital technology in creating his works, focusing on manual processes and traditional materials.”
The artist’s professional career includes holding numerous solo and group exhibitions in Iran and abroad. His first exhibition appearance was in the form of a group exhibition at Seyhoun Gallery (2013), and he held his first solo exhibition at the same gallery in 2017His works have been exhibited in cities such as Tehran, Paris, Beirut, London, Toronto, Budapest, Transylvania, Seoul, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, and have been presented at events such as biennials, residencies, and auctions, including the Tehran Auction.
In addition to his artistic activities, Ramzi is also known as an environmental activist and is one of the founders of the “Yahya Award”, an annual award established in memory of Yahya, the guardian of the environment, and in recognition of the services of environmentalists.
Overall, Mojtaba Ramzi’s works can be considered an attempt to connect nature, myth, and contemporary life; works that, by relying on ancient visual heritage and narrative and symbolic expression, open up a personal world rooted in collective culture to the audience.