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Akbar Nikanpour is an Iranian painter and illustrator, born in 1976 in Ardebil. He graduated in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran and holds a Master’s degree in Illustration, as well as a First-Class Artistic Degree (equivalent to a Doctorate in Art) from the Supreme Council for the Evaluation of Artists. A major part of his professional career has been dedicated to book illustration and collaboration with children’s and youth publications, resulting in the illustration of more than 150 book titles. Alongside his artistic practice, Nikanpour has been active in education, teaching at universities. He has participated in international exhibitions and workshops in countries such as Italy, France, and Spain, and has received numerous national and international awards. In 2003, he was honored as a distinguished illustrator of Iran at the Iran Artists Forum.
Resume
Born: 1976, Ardebil
Education
1983 — B.A. in Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
2002 — M.A. in Painting and First-Class Artistic Degree (Doctorate in Art), Supreme Council for the Evaluation of Artists
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021
Manouzha, Sarzamin-e Honar Gallery
2019
Akbar Nikanpour Collection, Khat-e Sefid Gallery
Works by Akbar Nikanpour, Kama Gallery
Works by Akbar Nikanpour, Matn Gallery
2018
Brightness of Water, Matn Gallery
2016
On the Wings of Childhood, Honar-e Yek Gallery (Arasbaran Cultural Center)
2003
Commemoration Ceremony Honoring Him as a Distinguished Illustrator, Iran Artists Forum, Momayyez Hall
1995
Simon Gallery
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
Nowruznegār, Laleh Gallery
Reverans 2024, Ebteba Gallery
Rang be Rang, Ba Gallery
One to Fifty Million, Liam Gallery
A Garden Full of Trees, Negar Gallery
Majmou’, Sis Art Space
Modern Art, Ebteba Gallery
2023
Positive, Negative Fifty, Gooyeh Gallery
Reverans 2023, Ebteba Gallery
White Mask, Seyhoun Gallery
Face to Face, Iranian Artists Garden Museum Gallery
Inner Window, Binish Gallery
2022
Sixth Extinction, Javid Gallery
Naqsh Pardaz, Ba Gallery
Bazm and Razm, Javid Gallery
2021
From This Garden at Every Moment, Javid Gallery
2020
Invitation, Tarahi Honar Gallery
My Nature, Shekooh Gallery
Auction 99, Seyhoun Gallery
Wear a Mask!, Kama Gallery
Mah Auction, Dena Gallery
Karbafo Postcard, Sayeh Gallery
Exhibition and Sale in Support of COVID-19 Patients, Khat-e Sefid Gallery
2019
9th Exhibition of Contemporary Iranian Artists from Multiple Generations, Laleh Gallery
Contemporary Painters of Ardabil, Laleh Gallery
Commemoration of Arabali Shorveh, Shorveh Gallery
2018
Colorful Generations, Shirin Gallery
8th Exhibition of Contemporary Iranian Artists from Multiple Generations, Laleh Gallery
Up to 10 Million, Khat-e Sefid Gallery
Infinite Art, Saba Cultural and Artistic Institute
Blue Tone, Iranian Artists Garden Museum Gallery
2017
7th Exhibition of Contemporary Iranian Artists from Multiple Generations, Laleh Gallery
Si Nam, Chahar Gallery
2016
6th Exhibition of Contemporary Iranian Artists from Multiple Generations, Laleh Gallery
Ashura Illustration Workshop Exhibition, Laleh Gallery
2015
Annual Exhibition 2015, Afrand Gallery
2014
Haftan Treasury, Haftan Gallery
Shahnameh Illustration Exhibition, Laleh Gallery
2013
5+20, Home Gallery
2010
Honoring Artists of District 5, Tehran Municipality
2007
Selected Illustrations Exhibition, International Youth Library, Munich, Germany
2006
Nature from the Perspective of Eastern Artists, Academy of Arts, Tehran
2015
Commemoration of the Fine Arts High School, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Tehran
1992
Sixty Years of Fine Arts High School Artists, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
1998
Tehran Graphic Biennial, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
1997
Tehran Sculpture Biennial, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
International Presence
2006
Participation in workshops in Bologna, Italy, and Paris, France
Member of Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France
1992
Participation in the International Illustration Biennial, Lannion, France
1992–1996
Selected Illustrator, Bologna Illustration Biennial, Italy
1992
Selected Illustrator, Catalonia Illustration Biennial, Spain
Awards
2003
Illustration Award, Niavaran Cultural Foundation
1995
Special Illustration Award, Children’s Book Council of Iran
1993–1994
Illustration Award, Flower and Plant Exhibition, Tehran Municipality
1993
Crystal Pencil Award and Certificate of Honor, Asian Illustration Exhibition, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
1989
Illustration Award, Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, Book Festival
1992
Grand Prize, Lannion International Illustration Biennial, France
1992–1996
Awards from Bologna, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain
— Awards from Tehran Art Festivals
