Embroidery has graced humanity with delicate artworks for millennia. From its beginning as a mending necessity to reinforce pieces of fabric, overtime basic sewing evolved into an extensive range of techniques, while developing creative and decorative styles with intricate patterns.
Encountered worldwide, embroidery tell stories of civilisations, beliefs, significant events and mundane scenes all together. Modern embroidery witnesses a return to hand-crafted works and expend to banknote Money Art such as Iranian artist Mina Ganjizadeh‘s creations.
From a Welcome Distraction
Mina began threading embroidery seven years ago, as a hobby, a distracting activity from a demanding work as a high school teacher. After four years of patient learning and practice, she decided to leave her job and embrace her passion in a professional manner, she recalls:
“I learned new techniques and started sharing my artworks on Instagram, where the encouragement from my audience motivated me to work even harder.”
Mina’s success on Instagram surely crossed boarders, her fine works catching the eye and picking at the curiosity of many. As a hobby, Mina approaches embroidery with a contemporary twist.
Drawing Allegory
Now an established artist, Mina describes her practice, inspired by a dedication to communicate untold stories:
“I work as a thread painting and stumpwork (*) artist, using a needle as my pen and thread as my ink. I create art by painting with threads and telling stories through my embroidery. One of my first major projects was to embroider portraits of individuals who had passed away and been overlooked by the news, despite their positive contributions to society. I wanted to use my art to honour and bring attention to these remarkable individuals.”
(*) Stumpwork: type of needlework, that it is the result of the combination of both direct and applied embroidery on pads, creating a relief effect. (Maria de Lima Mayer, CONSERVAR PATRIMÓNIO, April 2019)
To Highlight Present-day Concerns
Echoing Twentieth Century women who used embroidery for social movements such as Women’s Rights, Mina worked on a series to support the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.
At its origin, “Woman, Life, Freedom” is a protest slogan used when Iran went through nationwide protests in 2022. The uprising was triggered by Mahsa Jina Amini’s tragic death in Tehran, when the young woman died in police custody after being arrested by Iran’s “morality police” for opposing mandatory hijab and failing to properly cover her hair:
“More recently, I have been inspired by the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement to create a series of embroidered banknotes that reflect my support for this cause. As a woman, I feel compelled to use my voice and my art to promote positive change.”
Mina’s inspiration to use her art as a mean to communicate important themes is a critical piece of her artistic concept, regarding environmental concerns, she tells us:
“Moving forward, I plan to incorporate recycled materials into my work as a way to reflect on my role as a human on this planet.”
Determined to add meaning to her creative practice, Mina identifies and uses themes she draws from her environment and surroundings, as well as society defining events and movements:
“I draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Most often, I am inspired by traditional Iranian art and architecture, as my country has a rich history of architectural beauty. Nature is another significant source of inspiration for me. At times, current events and movements, such as the fight for women’s rights, also inspire my work. In short, almost anything can serve as a source of inspiration for my art.”
Age-old Technique in a Contemporary Style
Mina’s beautiful works tell stories, they can be symbolic and peaceful or laced with powerful messages:
“I primarily use fabric and threads in my work, but I also enjoy incorporating other materials like wood, paper, feathers, and beads. I’ve learned a lot from observing other artists and seeing how they blend threads with various materials to create unique pieces. As I mentioned before, thread is my medium of choice, and I love exploring the different ways I can use it to create art on various surfaces.”
Mina’s exploration of surfaces to grace with embroidery led her to work on banknotes, using the symbolism and imagery displayed to tell stories and highlight contemporary social issues:
“I have two main reasons for choosing to embroider on banknotes. First, the images on the back of the banknotes often depict historical places in my country. I enjoy using my imagination to create scenes of what these places could be like in my dreams, or what could happen there.”
“For example, Azadi Square and Saadi Tomb are two historical sites featured on the banknotes, and I dream of a day when people can freely dance and share their happiness in these places. Public dancing is currently not legal in Iran, but it’s something I believe everyone should be able to enjoy. Similarly, the banknotes also feature a couple in Tabriz, and I wish that couples could kiss each other freely in public without it being considered taboo.”
Mina’s interest in the Art Fiduciaire elements displayed on banknotes isn’t the only reason that led her to work on banknotes, she explains:
“The second reason I choose to embroider on banknotes is to highlight the low value of our currency. Many of the banknotes I’ve used in my artwork are actually worth less than the fabric I would otherwise be embroidering on. By using these banknotes as my canvas, I aim to make a statement about the economic conditions in my country and the impact it has on everyday life.”
The art of embroidery on banknotes doesn’t come without technical challenges, as Mina clarifies:
“Shrinkage and tears are common challenges when embroidering on banknotes, as the paper material is delicate and prone to damage. It’s difficult to make any mistakes, as a single misplaced hole can’t be easily corrected. Unlike with cotton, the banknote’s surface is prone to wrinkles, so I have to be extra cautious while working on it. Despite these challenges, the unique texture and patterns on the banknotes inspire me to experiment and create art that tells a story.”
From Local Controversy to Global Attention
The themes highlighted in Mina’s art are challenging in her country, Iran, and prove to limit her opportunities to exhibit artworks in public. Mina would have most probably gone unnoticed if not for Internet and its endless web of people, who took interest in her delicate yet powerful creations:
“As an artist in Iran, I face several challenges, such as the lack of opportunities to exhibit my work. Many of my pieces feature women without hijabs, which can be controversial and make it difficult to find venues to display them. Despite this, the internet has provided me with a platform to connect with people from all over the world, like you, and share my art. However, my exhibitions only showcase a small portion of my work, and sending pieces abroad can be expensive and challenging. For now, I primarily rely on Instagram and Twitter to share my creations with others.”
“Despite these challenges, Instagram has become a powerful platform for me to reach a wide audience and receive positive feedback. Iranians who have migrated, as well as people from other cultures, often respond to the messages conveyed through my artwork and send me encouraging comments. This has been a rewarding aspect of sharing my art on social media.”
In our ultra-connected environment filled with attention-seeking personas who boldly spread emotional messages to gain short term spotlight, Mina’s dedication is refreshing for the soul, an opportunity to truly connect with a brave being. A creative who uses their talent to shine a light on significant themes, while encouraging others to pursue their passion:
“Don’t give up, and use any means available to share your message with the world. As a woman living in a country with restrictions against women, I can attest to the fact that if I can find ways to create and share my art, you can too. Be persistent and resourceful, and don’t let obstacles discourage you from pursuing your passion.”
A Legacy for Future Generations
Exploring the concept of art made with currency, Mina shares with us her interpretation of Money Art:
“Money Art is a relatively new art form with significant potential for growth, especially in light of the rise of digital currencies like Bitcoin. As physical currency becomes less common, art made from money may become a nostalgic reminder of the past. In the future, Money Art could serve as a historical artifact, showcasing how people used physical cash as currency. By exploring this art form now, artists can contribute to a unique legacy that may be of great interest to future generations.”
Art forms, techniques and styles have evolved endlessly since the dawn of Humanity. To each era, a distinct style or innovative approach branched out, sometimes falling out of use, to be later undertaken and revived.
Contemporary embroidery continues to be a witness of the challenges of our time and build a testimony for Humanity’s future, embroidery on banknote magnifies its future legacy value. Artist like Mina, who dedicate her talented skills to help shape a better future, have their rightful place in the art world.
Be inspired
Explore Mina Ganjizadeh’s Gallery
Featured image: “Untitled” from Woman, Life, Freedom series, “Mina Ganjizadeh” © Mina Ganjizadeh via Banknote Art Concept, Mina Ganjizadeh.
Source: De Lima Mayer, M. (2019), “A stumpwork mirror in the collection of the Medeiros e Almeida House-Museum” – descriptive and iconographical analyses, Conservar Património, 31, 177–190.
Images sources: “The studio” © Mina Ganjizadeh. “Freedom” © Mina Ganjizadeh. “Free tomorrow, Happy music” © Mina Ganjizadeh, via Banknote Art Concept. “Simargh in the stature of a woman” © Mina Ganjizadeh.
