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Morteza Momayez

Morteza Mamiz

Mamiz was born on Shahrivar 4, 1315 and was born in Tehran. He was a graphic designer, illustrator, and university professor. He is called the father of Iranian graphic art.

Mamiz graduated from Tehran University, Faculty of Fine Arts in 1344, and three years later, he received his certificate of booth and showcase design and architecture from Paris School of Decorative Arts. The auditor’s bachelor’s degree course lasted for 11 years, and during this period, the auditor was busy with various jobs, such as working in a graphic studio, etc.

Mr. Mahmoud Jahanpanah is one of his very close friends and colleagues. In 1348, he proposed the creation of a graphics course to the Faculty of Fine Arts. The establishment of this course for art students made the imperfect graphics system come to life and start an effort. Until this year, in addition to graphic design for books and posters, Memiz started an effort as an art director in magazines such as Iran Abad, Ketab Vaht, Kihan Vaht, Farhang, Kavash, Negin. Magazines that have established and introduced the way and style of work of Mahiz in the society.

Memiz’s works in this period in the book of the week become such a prolific and creative period that the name of Memiz as an author and rare graphic artist is on the tongues. Also, the continuation of Mameez’s work in Farhang and Nagin magazines opened the way for the entry of young graphic artists of the 40s, such as Farshid Moghali.

The works on the cover of Meeez for the book of the week are examples of successful and creative printing (silk and lithography) that have very useful graphic values. In the same years, he created one of the most important modern works of contemporary history with the design of overturned knives. The work of his knives is the most social work that has emerged since the 40s.

During half a century of his artistic activity in Iran and in the field of international art, Morteza Mamiz played a prominent role in the revival and innovation of graphic art in Iran and the advancement and expansion of national culture and artistic traditions. In December of 2003, he was honored as an outstanding professor of Art Academy in a ceremony by Seyyed Mohammad Khatami (then president).

Mamiz was struggling with cancer in the last years of his life, and he was admitted to Aban Hospital in Tehran for the latest round of chemotherapy since November 23, 2004. After a few days, his condition worsened and he finally died at the age of 69 on November 5, 2005. The body of Morteza Mamiz was buried on the 7th of December in Baghban Kola, located in Kordan Karaj.

Morteza Mamiz has many works and this is only a part of his efforts in the field of graphics, Mamiz’s website is a very special and complete reference of this artist which can be accessed from the link below.

Morteza Mamiz’s website

Artistic and research activities of Morteza Mamiz

  • Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tehran University, 1344
  • Certificate of booth and showcase design and interior architecture of the School of Decorative Arts, Paris 1968
  • Graphic design since 1336
  • Costume design for theater and cinema
  • Light design for theater
  • Author of nine books and more than fifty articles about design and graphics
  • Introduction in foreign magazines, books, exhibitions and festivals in Germany, Spain, England, Ireland, Belgium, China, Czech, Russia, Japan, Switzerland, France, Finland, South Korea, Lebanon, Poland, Yugoslavia
  • The founder of the graphics course at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran since 1997
  • Elected Chairman of the Visual Arts Committee of the National Commission of UNESCO, Tehran, 2013-2014
  • Artistic consultant of the Central Library and Documentation Center of Tehran University, 1995 to 1998
  • The founder and executive secretary of the Asia Graphic Biennale (UNESCO) 58 to 1356
  • Member of the International Advertising Association, New York – America, from 1957 to 1354
  • Member of Alliance Graphiques International (International Association of Graphic Designers) since 1356
  • Member of the jury of graphic exhibitions and animated design films in Iran and European countries
  • Founder of Iran Graphic Art Biennale 1366
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Graphic Designers Association of Iran since 1376
  • Member of the Supreme Council of the House of Iranian Artists
  • Member of Iran Art Academy