Founder of Cultavism
Mohammad Reza Nasiri Afshar
SCULPture
Mohammadreza Nasiri Afshar is an Iranian artist and designer whose creative journey began at age eight with wood and metalwork. Trained in machining and welding, he later transitioned into furniture design, architecture, and handcrafted art. He founded multiple art-focused ventures, earned recognition from UNESCO, and was invited to teach at Rasina University in Georgia. His projects, including a culturally inspired super sport car for Oman, reflect a deep fusion of tradition and innovation. His current vision, Cultavism, blends love, mysticism, culture, architecture, and art, with upcoming work based in Abu Dhabi.
I started working with wood and metal designs, as well as painting, when I was just 8 years old. Later, when we moved to Bushehr, one of my father’s employees was a model maker. Watching him work sparked my interest even more, and I began building wooden and sailboats. Gradually, my passion grew deeper.
I enrolled in a technical high school, majoring in Machine Tools and Machining. I had many ideas. Later, I continued high school in Tehran, where I practiced calligraphy and made calligraphic signs. I even did a calligraphic piece of Surah Al-Hamd. In the second year of high school, I designed a lathe machine. That machine helped cover our expenses. My friend and I would take on installation and maintenance jobs outside school.
Afterward, I worked in machining factories and became a professional welder. When I finished high school, I dropped out for a year and worked in a machining factory doing stainless steel welding. That was in 1988. Then came military service—I served as a welder and also handled other tasks.
After the army, I worked in a machinery manufacturing factory where we built paper cutting machines. It was located on the old Karaj road, and I did machining and welding work. Later, I got married and entered the furniture business. Between 1997 and 1999, I took on contracting projects in northern Tehran. Eventually, I moved to Ramsar and began studying architecture at university for a master’s degree. I had excellent grades, but I decided to drop out.
Since 2019, I’ve operated a wood design studio and gallery, teaching students the art of handmade crafts. I obtained an official teaching license from the Technical and Vocational Organization of Iran. Some of my works were recognized by UNESCO, and the Rasina University in Georgia invited me to teach there. I also designed a super sport car inspired by Iranian culture and heritage for Oman.
This university represents love and art. We founded the City of Art company, and another company in the UAE called Shokouh-e-Mah, focusing on art, design, and architectural execution.
Eventually, I arrived at the concept of Cultavism—a symbol of love, culture, mysticism, architecture, and art. I’m currently in the process of obtaining the necessary permits to launch a project in Abu Dhabi.