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Leili Matin-Daftari, a pioneer of modernist painting and one of the most important Iranian female modernist artists, was born in Tehran in 1936 (1315 SH). She went to England as a child and studied painting and sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art (University College London) and later at the Camberwell College of Arts. Matin-Daftari returned to Iran in 1960 (1339 SH) and taught sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran until 1965 (1344 SH). Her first solo exhibition was held in 1966 (1345 SH) at Bourgez Gallery in Tehran. Her works are characterized by a simple, form-focused language, built on basic shapes and flat colors. Thematically, her art can be categorized into periods such as still life, portraiture, figurative works, and plant paintings. Matin-Daftari’s paintings strike a balanced synthesis between the artist’s introspective spirit, Eastern artistic structures, and the influences of modern European art. Features such as the elimination of depth, flat colors, and compositional balance evoke the tradition of Persian miniature painting. Matin-Daftari’s artistic career includes significant participation in prominent artistic events and spaces. After returning to Iran, she exhibited in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Tehran Biennials, winning an award at the 5th Biennial. Over the years, her works were repeatedly displayed in solo and group exhibitions both in Iran and internationally. Notable galleries and institutions that have hosted her work include Emkan Gallery, Siyahon Gallery, Dastan+2 Gallery, Leila Heller Gallery in Dubai, and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Leili Matin-Daftari passed away in 2007 (1386 SH).
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Born in 1936 (1315 SH), Tehran
Education
1956 (1335 SH): Studied painting and sculpture at Slade School of Fine Art, University College London
Teaching
1960–1965 (1339–1344 SH): Taught sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
Solo Exhibitions
1966 (1345 SH): Bourgez Gallery, Tehran
1967 (1346 SH): Studio Saba Gallery, Weilingen, Germany
1967 (1346 SH): Abbott Hall Gallery, Kendal, UK
1968 (1347 SH): Soltis Gallery, Paris
1968 (1347 SH): Negar Gallery, Tehran
2016 (1395 SH): “Leili Matin-Daftari,” Emkan Gallery, Tehran
Group Exhibitions (Pre-Revolution)
1963 (1342 SH): Nila Gallery, Tehran
1966 (1345 SH): “Iranian Artists,” New Delhi and Bombay
1967 (1346 SH): “25 Years of Modern Art,” Tehran
1968 (1347 SH): “Modern Art of Iran,” Columbia University, New York
1973 (1352 SH): Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels
1973 (1352 SH): Salon d’Automne, Paris
Group Exhibitions (Posthumous / Retrospectives)
2016 (1395 SH): “Works by Pioneers of Iranian Art,” Did Gallery, Tehran
2016 (1395 SH): “Between Two Days,” Contemporary Art Gallery, Tehran
2017 (1396 SH): “A Visual Dialogue” (with Manoochehr Yektai), Dastan+2, Tehran
2017 (1396 SH): “Fiftieth Anniversary,” Siyahon Gallery, Tehran
2017 (1396 SH): “Amordad,” “96+,” and “Still Life,” Afrand Gallery
2018 (1397 SH): “Open Sale,” Free Designers Gallery, Tehran
2019 (1398 SH): “The Translation of Growth,” Vesal Shirazi Gallery
2019 (1398 SH): “Atlas of My Dreams,” Nicolas Flamel Gallery, Paris
2020 (1399 SH): “Mafar,” Azad Gallery, Tehran
2021 (1400 SH): “Mirror in Mirror,” Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
2021 (1400 SH): “A Rare Collection of Modern Iranian Art,” Leila Heller Gallery, Dubai
2021 (1400 SH): “Reasonable Weekend,” Homa Gallery
2021 (1400 SH): “Selected Works from Lal Collection,” O Gallery
2024 (1403 SH): “Perfect Strangers” (with Manoochehr Yektai), Frieze London
2024 (1403 SH): IT/Cube Gallery, Javid Gallery, Contemporary Collection SO, Tehran
2025 (1404 SH): “On the Table,” Eve Gallery, Tehran
Biennials and Festivals
1962 (1341 SH): Participated in the 2nd Tehran Biennial
1966 (1345 SH): Awarded at the 5th Tehran Biennial
1968 (1347 SH): Participated in the 2nd Shiraz Arts Festival
1976 (1355 SH): Participated in the 8th International Painting Festival, Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
