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Alireza Espahbod, a prominent Iranian painter and graphic designer, was born in 1951 (1330 in the Iranian calendar) in Tehran. His passion for art began in childhood, and he studied under the mentorship of Jafar Rahnama. At the age of 17, he entered the Tehran School of Fine Arts, and later continued his education at the University of Decorative Arts. Espahbod held a Master’s degree in etching and lithography from Goldsmiths, University of London. Throughout his professional career, he designed the covers of over 150 books and collaborated with influential literary publications such as Ketab-e Hafteh and Ketab-e Jom’e. His works, created in a figurative, symbolic, and grotesque style, often addressed social themes and were characterized by visual elements such as crows, white-clad women, and anxious faces. Among his most notable exhibitions were “The Crows” at Seihoun Gallery (1975), a show at Bedford House Gallery in London, and his participation in Art Basel in Switzerland (1976). His final solo exhibition, “Alphabet-Man,” was held in 2001 (1380). After his passing, Espahbod’s works were featured in major auctions including Tehran Auction, Bonhams, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s London. Alireza Espahbod passed away in March 2007 (Esfand 1385).
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1971
Group exhibition: Schools and Colleges Exhibition, School of Fine Arts, Tehran
1972
Graduated from the Boys’ School of Fine Arts, Tehran
1973
Solo exhibition: Man and Bird, Ghandriz Hall, Tehran
1974
Participated in the First International Art Exhibition, Tehran
1975
Graduated from the Faculty of Decorative Arts
Solo exhibition: The Crows, Seihoun Gallery, Tehran
Solo exhibition, Lautrec Gallery, Tehran
1976
Art fair: Art Basel, Switzerland
1977
Relocated to the United Kingdom
Solo exhibition: Black Pencil Drawings, Bedford House Gallery, London
Received MA in Fine Arts (Etching and Lithography), Goldsmiths, University of London
1978
Solo exhibition, University of London, UK
Group exhibition: Schools and Colleges Exhibition, University of London
1981
Solo exhibition: Charcoal on Canvas, Golestan Gallery, Tehran
1984
Book cover and layout design for periodicals including Donya-ye Sokhan, Adineh, Mofid, Iran-e Farda, among others
1991
Group exhibition: Charcoal Works, Golestan Gallery, Tehran
Continued working as a graphic artist and exhibited works privately
2001
Solo exhibition: Alphabet-Man, Seihoun Gallery, Tehran
Posthumous Exhibitions
2019
Solo exhibition: Alireza’s Room, Inja Gallery, Tehran
2021
Solo exhibition: Hast Shodeh, Inja Gallery, Tehran
2022
Group exhibition: The Modernism Collector – Summer 2022, Artibition Gallery, Tehran
2023
Solo exhibition: Siah-Mashq-ha, 009821 Projects, Tehran
Group exhibition: Point of View, E1 Gallery, Tehran
2024
Group exhibition: One Collection, Plus2 Gallery, Tehran
Group exhibition: Dorous, No. 34, Artibition Gallery, Tehran
Group exhibition: Certain or Uncertain, Sharif Gallery, Tehran
Solo exhibition: 56–57 London, Sohrab Gallery, Tehran
