SHIRAZ: In the winding alleys of southern Iran, artist Adel Yazdi has taken it upon himself to turn his rustic old neighbourhood into a cultural and tourist hub through vibrant paintings and carved relief faces.

Narenjestan, a neighbourhood characterised by crumbling, uninhabited houses, is nestled in Shiraz, a southern city celebrated for its historic architecture, lush gardens and revered poets.

“Most of the dilapidated walls in old Shiraz have no historical value,” saidt Yazdi, a bushy-bearded, bespectacled 40-year-old artist who has dedicated himself to revitalising Narenjestan.

Yazdi has over the years turned the long-neglected neighbourhood walls into a vivid visual tapestry “telling the stories of people living here”, he said.

Arabesque patterns and relief faces carved with intricate details and painted in an array of vivid hues of greens, pinks, blues and purples now adorn the walls.

With its striking designs and bright colours, Yazdi’s art can be reminiscent of surrealism. It often comes across as surprising, showcasing a different side of Iran’s artistic heritage that goes beyond the conventional focus on Persian architecture.

The artwork includes the face of Scheherazade, Yazdi said, referencing the legendary storyteller from the One Thousand and One Nights collection of folk tales.

Yazdi’s work stands out in Shiraz where graffiti and murals are rare, becoming a social media sensation and a tourist attraction.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2025