Ahmad Vakili, born in 1961 in Tehran, is a painter, printmaker, and art instructor whose professional career spans over five decades. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Painting from the University of Applied Arts and completed his Master's degree in 1997 at the Islamic Azad University. In 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding contributions to contemporary Iranian art. Vakili held his first solo exhibition in 1987 at Sabz Gallery in Mashhad, marking the beginning of his artistic journey. Since then, he has presented numerous solo exhibitions in galleries including Barg, Elaheh, Aria, i Gallery (Dubai), Hoore, Sarban, Asr, and 009821. In addition to painting, Vakili has worked extensively as a children’s book illustrator, earning multiple international awards, including being named Best Illustrator of the Year at the 1991 Inval Biennale. He is a member of the Iranian Painters Association and has taught at several universities, including the University of Art, Islamic Azad University, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Alzahra, and Soore University. Ahmad Vakili is recognized as a pioneer of contemporary Iranian art, blending traditional techniques with innovation and personal expression.
Education
1987 — Bachelor's in Painting, University of Applied Arts, Tehran
1997 — Master's in Painting, Islamic Azad University
2015 — Honorary Doctorate
Selected Solo Exhibitions
1987 — Sabz Gallery, Mashhad
1989 — Noor Gallery, Tehran
1991 — Private Studio, Tehran
1993 — Dilmaghani Studio, Tehran
1994 — Barg Gallery, Tehran
1994 — Private Studio, Tehran
1999 — Aria Gallery (Hand Printing), Tehran
2000 — Behman Cultural Center, Tehran
2003 — House of Artists, Tehran
2005 — Hoore Gallery, Tehran
2006 — Elaheh Gallery (Design), Tehran
2006 — Pouya Gallery, Rasht
2007 — i Gallery, Dubai
2008 — Naqsh-e Jahan Gallery, Isfahan
2011 — Hoore Gallery, Tehran
2013 — Mahmeh Gallery, Tehran
2016 — Ivan Gallery, Tehran
2023 — Hoore Gallery, Tehran
2024 — Hoore Gallery, Tehran
Selected Group Exhibitions (Domestic and International)
2018 — Khasism, Artibition Gallery, Tehran
2018 — Design as Life, House of Artists, Tehran
2018 — In Memory of Shorveh, Shorveh Gallery, Tehran
2018 — Collector, Artibition Gallery, Tehran
2018 — From Astara to Astarabad, Gallery Panj, Nowshahr
2019 — Golgasht, Sarvenaz Gallery, Tehran
2019 — Agaz, Asr Gallery, Tehran
2019 — Design Week, Mika Gallery, Kish
2019 — Painting and Sculpture, Sarvenaz Gallery, Shiraz
2019 — Shabtāb 7, Tarahan Azad Gallery, Tehran
2020 — Mask Up!, Kama Gallery
2020 — Archive, Artibition Gallery, Tehran
2020 — Qaf, Iranshahr Gallery, Tehran
2020 — Together, Asr Gallery, Tehran
2020 — My Nature, Shokouh Gallery, Tehran
2021 — Opportunity, House of Artists, Tehran
2021 — Your Excellency Nature, Asr Gallery, Tehran
2022 — Print as Art, Doran Gallery, Tabriz
2023 — Resize, Artibition Gallery, Tehran
2023 — Adamvareh, Maryam Gallery, Kashan
2023 — Rishe, Shakheh Tooba Gallery, Tehran
2023 — Pop-Up, Doost Gallery, Amsterdam
2023 — Human Body, Vista Gallery, Tehran
2023 — Me, Myself, I, Asr Gallery, Tehran
2024 — Tehran-Amsterdam: Expansion, Doost Gallery, Amsterdam
2025 — Face to Face, Cama Gallery, Tehran
