Farah Ossouli

Farah Ossouli (born 1953) is a contemporary Iranian painter. Her painting style is a fusion of modern art and traditional Persian miniature. The themes of her works are inspired by women's social issues, Persian poetry and literature, and the history of Iranian and world art. Her artworks are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Farah Ossouli received her diploma in painting from the Girls' School of Fine Arts and her Bachelor's degree in graphic design from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran. Her career includes participation in group and solo exhibitions, teaching, illustrating children's books, and serving as a juror for festivals and biennales, including the 6th Tehran Biennale in 2003.

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Personal Details

Name: Farah Ossouli
Year of Birth: 1953 (10 August 1953)
Place of Birth: Zanjan, Iran Wikipedia
Residence / Base: Tehran, Iran WikipediaZaal Art Gallery

Education

1971: Diploma in Painting, Girl’s School of Fine Arts, Tehran Wikipediafarahossouli.com
1977: Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran Wikipediafarahossouli.com

Teaching Experience

1972–1977: Instructor, Design Studio, Tehran farahossouli.comcaroun.com
1981–1987: Instructor, Moaser Studio, Tehran farahossouli.comcaroun.com

Professional Activities

Co-founder of DENA, a women’s art collective (established 2001), which has organized over 30 exhibitions Zaal Art GalleryWikipedia
Member of the Society of Iranian Painters caroun.comZaal Art Gallery
Chairperson of the 6th Tehran Contemporary Painting Biennial (2003) WikipediaDastan Gallery

Artistic Style & Themes

Known for a modern interpretation of Persian miniature painting Wikipediakashyahildebrand.org
Subjects include: women’s life, Persian poetry and literature, and classical Western art—often depicted through color blocks replacing traditional text, with manipulated figure proportions Wikipediakashyahildebrand.org

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions in Iran (Tehran, Shiraz) and internationally, including New York, Newark (Rutgers), Koblenz (Ludwig Museum), among others Kristin Hjellegjerde
Group Exhibitions held worldwide, including in London, Dubai, Canada, and Tehran Kristin HjellegjerdeDastan Gallery

Collections (Permanent)

Her works are held in major public and institutional collections:

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi
Tropen Museum, Amsterdam
Ludwig Museum, Koblenz
Imam Ali Religious Arts Museum, Tehran Among others WikipediaKristin Hjellegjerde

Awards & Recognitions

Prize, "Ayeneh-dar-Ayeneh" Exhibition, Tehran (1997)
Iranian Women Artists Award (2002)
Prize, 2nd Biennale of Contemporary Islamic Painting (2002) caroun.comWikipedia

Recent Publications

Burning Wings: Last Four Decades (Monograph, Skira, 2023) WikipediaWikipedia
Featured in Good morning... Good night (Tre Lune Edizioni, Italy, 2018) Wikipedia

Summary

Mediums: Gouache and watercolor on paper or cardboard, often merging Persian miniature techniques with contemporary themes WikipediaDastan Gallery
Role: Artist, teacher, curator, organizer, and a pivotal figure in revitalizing Persian miniature painting for the modern era