Ali Golestaneh

Ali Golestaneh, a distinguished painter, was born in 1940 (1319 in the Iranian calendar) in Tehran. His passion for painting began in his teenage years when he studied under Jafar Petgar, one of the prominent artists of that era, laying the foundation for his artistic journey. Golestaneh pursued formal education at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, and graduated with a degree in painting in 1972 (1351). However, his professional path extended far beyond academic boundaries. Between 1967 and 1977 (1346–1356), he lived in London, where he studied and practiced art at the London School of Printing, affiliated with the University of London. During this period, he also worked as a painter and graphic artist. In the 1980s, following his migration to Spain, Golestaneh expanded his international artistic endeavors. He lived in Spain from 1980 to 1987 (1359–1366), during which he held three solo exhibitions in Madrid and Santa Ibiza. His first official exhibition took place in 1976 (1355) at Shahr Gallery. Among his notable exhibitions are those held at Golestan Gallery between 1988 and 1995 (1367–1374), and his final solo show at Arya Gallery in 1997 (1376). Golestaneh had a distinct mastery over materials such as colored pencils and watercolor, and his works were deeply rooted in a personal perspective on local landscapes and lived geographies. He consistently sought to express his sincere emotions and impressions of nature and regional environments through his art. In simplifying forms, he found a path toward deeper, more poetic expression—a quality that made his work stand out among his contemporaries. Ali Golestaneh passed away in 2021 (1400) due to complications related to COVID-19.