.jpg "A work by eX de Medici")
TEHRAN -- Celebrated Australian artist eX de Medici, who is famous for her military-themed works, has been thrilled by the Iranian tourist attractions.
The Iranian cultural heritage and natural attractions are really unique, she told the Persian service of IRNA on Tuesday.
De Medici has traveled to Iran to showcase a collection of her latest paintings at an exhibition in Urmia, West Azarbaijan Province.
The collection has been inspired by the Iranian cultural attractions.
De Medici, 54, lives and works in Canberra.
Her broad practice incorporates performance and installation art, tattooing, photography, painting and drawing.
She has exhibited extensively in Australia and her work is represented in major collections.
Her works are held in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; Mornington Peninsula Museum and Gallery, Victoria; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; National Portrait Gallery, Canberra; Monash University Gallery, Victoria; Canberra Museum and Gallery, Canberra and Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane; and several other major public collections.
This is the third time De Medici is visiting Iran.
She said that she has enjoyed seeing followers of various religions and people from various ethnic origins live in peaceful coexistence with each other.
Life in Australia is different from what is in Iran, she said, but added that the Iranian hospitality has made her feel at home.
De Medici also attended a festival of Iranian tour guides, which was held in Urmia on Tuesday.
She said that she has never seen such big meeting of tour guides anywhere and added that Iranian tour guides’ hard work and commitment were beyond her expectations.
Over 700 Iranian tour guides came together at the meeting, which was organized by the West Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department.
Groups of European tourism industry activists also attended the three-day meeting, which opened on Monday.
MMS/YAW
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