For the esteemed Javad Alizadeh, to whom Iranian caricature is indebted.
Abbas Naaseri / These days, especially in the vast realm of art, the use of certain words has become terribly common. For example, some people use the word “masterpiece” to describe a remarkable piece of art without knowing the weight of its meaning.
Regardless of whether this adjective is used sincerely or hypocritically, they apply it to some artworks. And this insincere and hypocritical flattery will lead to disaster. “Master” is also one of these overused words, used to address an artist.
We live in a time when the word “master” is tossed around so easily among some audiences and people in the art community. For many years, the word “master” has been used to describe the high level of an artist’s work in the art of this country. But these days, some people use the term “master” to refer to any artist, without knowing the true value and significance of this word.
This is apart from the many people who bestow the title of “master” upon themselves. Although it is bitter to say, these days every artist automatically becomes a “master” during the early days of their career in the vast realm of art. And it isn’t due to achieving experience or years of work, but unfortunately, simply because this word is tossed around so much.
Anyway, let’s move on…
In this brief piece, I also want to use the word “master,” and I hope I can do justice to it. I want to refer to the honorable Javad Alizadeh as “beyond a master.” Although I know that no matter how much I search through dictionaries to find the true meaning of “master” for him, this effort would be in vain. There is no word that can capture the true stature and position of Master Alizadeh. A true master, skillful and legendary in art, character, and mentorship.
Undoubtedly, if it weren’t for Master Alizadeh’s effort and determination to publish numerous cartoon and caricature magazines, especially his masterpiece, the monthly “Tanz va Caricature,” this art form in Iran would have lacked something significant.
One of Master Alizadeh’s most influential contributions was discovering talents, identifying and introducing gifted teenagers and young people from the 60s and 70s, who, thanks to his magazines, have become leading figures in Iranian caricature today.
One must even go further and admit that if Master Alizadeh did not exist, this art form, if not dead, would surely have suffered a severe decline. Master Alizadeh is truly recognized as a great figure of caricature and ethics in the art world, both in Iran and internationally.
The office of his magazine, with its symbolic doll “Mofasser Shoot,” was surely a house of hope for my generation. My generation and I were drawn to cartoons and caricature under his guidance, with great passion and enthusiasm.
I believe that a heart that loves always remains young, and I hope the presence of this great master, along with other true masters, will continue to watch over the world of cartoons and caricature, its artists, students, and admirers for years to come.
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Weekly Single Page of Cartoonmag
No 49
Saturday , 26. July . 2025
This single page has been prepared to remind the news and calls published on the cartoonmagazine website and it is supposed to be published every Saturday.
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