An Iranian ceramic painter emphasized the importance of research, creativity, and ongoing training for the preservation of traditional pottery painting. Mahboubeh Kamalinejad, who has been active in the field since 2003, highlighted that artistic commitment rather than commercial gain has motivated her work for more than two decades.

Kamalinejad, a designer and ceramic painter, noted that many artists in this discipline initially engaged with pottery painting out of personal interest and a dedication to safeguarding traditional art. “In the early years, many of us worked without pay simply to learn and help preserve this art,” she said in an interview.

She described the workshop where she currently works as distinctive for its integration of practical experience with research. Each piece produced in the workshop is grounded in study, analysis, and novel ideas, rather than mere replication of existing patterns. Kamalinejad explained that innovation in pottery painting arises from combining artistic elements drawn from various historical periods, while also adapting designs to suit the shapes and visual qualities of ceramic objects.

Kamalinejad stressed that artists strive to incorporate the heritage of Iranian art alongside their own creative perspectives, producing original works tailored to the medium. Despite these efforts, she pointed to limited public exposure and insufficient external communication as significant challenges for the sector. She advocated for stronger media engagement and more professional promotion of pottery artworks to attract younger artists and new practitioners to the field.

She underscored that producing carefully researched works remains the primary goal for many artists, as opposed to following market trends. “Many of these works are the result of months or even years of continuous effort,” Kamalinejad said, noting that finished pieces are often exhibited both domestically and internationally.

Kamalinejad recommended expanding opportunities to present pottery painting to broader audiences, increasing research support, and enhancing educational initiatives for younger generations as critical measures to ensure the ongoing development and survival of this traditional art form.