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Russian artist finds inspiration in Iranian culture
Zenkova noted that many of the artworks on display, including her own, feature traditional Iranian clothing. “After seeing the selected works, I realized that Iran has a rich cultural heritage, which really caught my attention,” she said. “I thought to myself, ‘Iran must be a fascinating country’.”
Her painting of Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi was selected for the festival’s final round, IRNA wrote.
Zenkova said she wanted to create a majestic image of Raisi as a tribute to his services. “I used contrasting colors to convey his grandeur, with a dark background and bright clothing,” she explained. Raisi was both a political and spiritual leader in Iran, and Zenkova said she was drawn to his importance in Iranian society.
The festival, which was organized by the Iranian Embassy’s cultural counselor, brought together 100 Iranian and 100 Russian artists, as well as 40 works by renowned masters. The exhibition is currently on display at the Moscow Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts, and will travel to other Russian cities before being sent to Iran for display in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz.
Zenkova’s participation in the festival was her first introduction to Iranian culture, but it has sparked a new interest in her. “I was struck by the richness of Iranian culture, and I’m eager to learn more,” she said.