Ali Mutii, a self-taught sculptor of Iranian descent who currently resides in Van (Wan), Turkey, repurposes discarded iron scraps into breathtaking pieces of art, which has led him to also call himself a ‘recycling artist’.
Mutii moved to Van after struggling to pursue his art in his home country of Iran, where he faced limitations and a lack of support. He and his family initially moved to the Kurdistan region of Iraq but found challenges persisted, and he had to work as a welder and repairman to make ends meet.
Eventually, Mutii found the supportive environment he had been seeking in Kurdish-majority Van in east Turkey, where he has exhibited his art at several galleries and gained recognition both locally and internationally.
Mutii’s workshop, located in the Selimbey neighbourhood in Van, serves as the birthplace of his one-of-a-kind art pieces. He creates stunning figures of people and animals by shaping iron scraps that he collects from local junkyards. Although he sees himself primarily as a sculptor, he also refers to himself as a ‘recycling artist’ because he gives new life to metal scraps that would otherwise be discarded.
Mutii’s diverse range of artwork, which includes beautifully crafted human and animal sculptures, playful toys, and decorative items, provides him with his primary source of income, and his creations are highly sought after.
“Art should be protected. I either collect the waste metals myself or buy them, and I want to create something by working on them for days. Although my work is very difficult, I do not get tired and I work for hours by enjoying it. Both here and in Iran, the works I produce under difficult conditions are highly appreciated. I am very happy to see the interest and appreciation,” Mutii says.
As a border city, Van is used as a transit route for migrants from different Middle Eastern countries who want to go to Europe. Apart from the refugees who have to live under difficult conditions in camps established in Van, there are also migrants like 54-year-old Mutii who reside in the province and continue their profession and life there.
