“MAKE LOVE NOT WAR.”
Toronto-based fine and mixed-media artist, Mahyar Amiri, is raising awareness for the war between Russia and Ukraine with his latest mural, “MAKE LOVE NOT WAR.” Images of it have been shared online by several Ukrainian celebrities, including film director Alan Badoev and actress Irina Soponaru.
Mahyar is making waves through the Toronto art scene as one of the only silkscreen and glass neon artists in the province. What started as a hobby quickly blossomed into a career. Creating all pieces by hand, Mahyar is inspired by the works of Banksy and Andy Warhol.
Read our exclusive interview with Mahyar and learn more about this great artist.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, my name is Mahyar Amiri. I’m 25 years old and I’m from Toronto.
Tell us about your education.
I studied engineering at Western University and dropped out after 2 months. I ended up taking business at York U and finished with a bachelor of commerce.
How would you best describe your style of art?
I would describe my style of art as pop and modern art.
Where do you take inspiration for your work?
I take inspiration from everything that I come across. This includes seeing things from social media, walking through a mall, taking a stroll downtown, and even playing video games. Unfortunately, my occupation is a curse in a sense where no matter where I go I’m always thinking of art and how I can make my next piece or how to improve my style, so no matter wherever I go and whatever I do I always find inspiration.
What is your favorite medium for producing your art? Digital or physical?
All my works are physical and my favourite medium would be using glass neon and silkscreen.
Can you describe your studio? What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?
My studio is my home. I’m very grateful to have a space where I can make whatever I can think of and it’s a place where no one can judge me and tell me I’m doing something wrong with my practice. I think my most indispensable item would be my mop and my PS3. I need a mop because without a clean and organized work environment I don’t think I would be able to focus and create artwork. My PS3 is also my most indispensable item because it keeps me sane. Whenever I over work myself and stay in the studio for 12+ hours I can always finish the day with playing video games. I think keeping organized, clean, sane and not forgetting to have fun is something that hard working people can appreciate.
REVOLUTION. This mural was inspired by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August of 2021. It features two boys. One holds the Afghan flag as a symbol of rebellion, while the other holds a tire and doesn’t play with it, representing the tension of the situation.
What are your favourite materials to use?
My favourite materials to use is cotton canvas, glass neon and hand-picked mix media, such as vintage comic books.
What artistic process goes into creating your work? Can you take us through your process from concept to final work?
Well, everything begins with an idea. Once I have an idea, it’s almost like a puzzle that I must solve. So I begin to ask myself, what material do I use? What is the process for creating the artwork? Do I use acrylic or oil paint? Do I need a helper? There are many variables that I must ask myself to map out a project appropriately and efficiently. Eventually I create the final work and begin thinking of the next project.
What are some of your biggest achievements so far?
Some of my biggest achievements so far is finding my passion, commercializing my passion, and being able to be independent.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I come from an engineering background, where we have to solve complicated physic equations and structural integrities of bridges, so a creative block usually is the least of my problems Hahahaha. Nonetheless, I don’t force anything to happen, I know the idea will usually come to me through experience of maybe seeing something outside or coming across something within the studio that may spark the final element to complete a concept for one of my artwork ideas. Sometimes looking back, I appreciate when I didn’t rush into ideas because later on, I see how much it could have been improved. I hope that answers your question.
How do you feel being the only silkscreen artist in Toronto? What makes silkscreen so unique and different?
Being one of the only Silkscreen artists in Toronto, I don’t feel anything in particular, I just feel like I’m going to work and doing my job. Silkscreen is unique because it is difficult to achieve as a practice. You have to have the right ink viscosity, squeegee blade, squeegee angle, pressure, speed, flat work table, temperature, a well exposed screen, a large work space and the list goes on. It’s a difficult and expensive practice, which makes it very unique and different than other mediums
What are some of your favorite murals across Toronto?
Some of my favorite murals across Toronto are the ones that are really high up on a mid-rise / high-rise building. I hate heights, so when I see people going up so high to execute a mural I can really appreciate from afar and respect the artist. That’s passion. Those would be my favourite murals.
Tell us about the largest silkscreen art you created “Ali”. How did the idea come up?
The ALI silkscreen was inspired by the industry that I’m in. Starting out in the business I would fall victim to comparing myself with others until I quickly realized that that is not the way to do business, or anything in life. As a result, I made the ALI silkscreen to depict how you’re only competition is yourself to becoming a better version of yourself. Whether you’re in business or you’re going to the gym. It’s always you vs. you, it always has been and it always will be.
Did you have any solo exhibitions for your work?
Pre pandemic I did host two solo shows in my own gallery that I opened up, and I also had a solo show in a art gallery in downtown Toronto.
Do you sell your art or only take commissioned work?
I sell my own inventory of work that are comprised from the Series that I’ve release, and I also do commission work for clients.
What message do you want to convey through your art?
Each piece has its own meaning, but I’m not sure if they all have a message for the viewer. That depends on the viewer.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
Remembering that Saturday and Sundays are the weekend and not work days.
What are some of your other hobbies?
Some of my other hobbies are playing video games, exercising, swimming.
Your favourite quote?
With great power comes great responsibility.
REVOLUTION. This mural was inspired by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August of 2021. It features two boys. One holds the Afghan flag as a symbol of rebellion, while the other holds a tire and doesn’t play with it, representing the tension of the situation.
Your message for our readers.
It’s never too late to start. Just do it, and embrace every success and mistake, because without them you never learn. Don’t forget to have fun.
Your message for us at TOPS (TorontoPages) magazine.
Thank you for having me on TOPS, I hope I answered all your questions.
MONANA. Mahyar uses this piece to express his creativity, mixing in old art (Mona Lisa) with new art (duct taped banana – this was a wall display at Miami Art Basel).
