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Mehdi Farhadian, born in 1980 in Tehran, is a prominent Iranian painter whose works seamlessly blend abstract and figurative elements to create dreamlike landscapes. He completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, in 2005 and 2008, respectively. Since 2010, he has been teaching Painting and Drawing at Elm o Farhang University (Science and Culture University) in Tehran. Farhadian's artistic style is characterized by a deep respect for detail and a powerful handling of contrasting visual effects, primarily achieved through pouring and dripping paint. His works often depict urban landscapes where people and animals engage in enigmatic activities, blending realistic and fictional narratives. This approach allows him to address personal subjects within the context of contemporary Iranian history. His motifs draw inspiration from sources such as the vegetation of the Caspian Sea's northern shores, famous Iranian buildings, and contemporary historical figures. Over the years, Farhadian has held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Iran and internationally. Notable solo exhibitions include "Parade Square" at Richard Taittinger Gallery in New York (2018), "Sanctums of Decision" at the same gallery (2016), and "A Miracle for the Whole World" at Lawrie Shabibi Gallery in Dubai (2013). His work has been featured in prestigious group exhibitions such as "The Great Game" at the Iran Pavilion of the Venice Biennale (2015) and "Iran Inside Out" at the Chelsea Museum in New York (2009). In 2018, one of Farhadian's paintings, titled "Cannons and Ballerinas," was acquired by the British Museum, marking a significant achievement in his career. Farhadian's dedication to his craft and his unique artistic vision have solidified his position as a leading figure in contemporary Iranian art.
Education
Bachelor’s degree, University of Tehran, Tehran, 2005
Master’s degree in Painting, University of Tehran, Tehran, 2008
Solo Exhibitions
Birds, Mah Gallery, Tehran, 2009
Baharestan, Mah Gallery, Tehran, 2011
A Miracle for the Whole World, Louri Shabibi Gallery, Dubai, 2013
Fire and Flowers, Mah Gallery, Tehran, 2014
Parade Square, Richard Tittinger Gallery, New York, 2018
Twilight, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2019
Group Exhibitions
Official Selection, Contemporary Realism and Hyperrealism Exhibition of Iran, Niavaran Cultural Center, Tehran, 2005
Museum of Contemporary Art, Isfahan, 2006
Mah Gallery, Tehran, 2007
Selection from Works of 50 Artists, Mah Gallery, Tehran, 2007
Museum of Contemporary Art, Isfahan, 2007
Radical Design 1, Free Designers Gallery, Tehran, 2007
Radical Design 2, Tehran Gallery, University of Tehran, Tehran, 2007
Selection from Works of 50 Artists, Mah Gallery, Tehran, 2008
State of Paper, F2 Gallery, Beijing, 2009
Silk Road Gallery, Tehran, 2009
Chelsea Museum, New York, 2009
Iran Without Borders, Almine Rech Gallery, Paris, 2009
Dynasty and Earthquake / Movers and Shakers, Leila Heller Gallery, New York, 2009
Iran on Paper, Last Ten Years, Aran Gallery, Tehran, 2009
Landscape, Aran Gallery, Tehran, 2010
Cinema Painting, Mohsen Gallery, Tehran, 2010
Sea, XVA Gallery, Dubai, 2012
Born in Tehran, Laleh June Gallery, Basel, 2014
Contemporary Art of Iran, Setareh Gallery, Düsseldorf, 2015
Art Capital, Grand Palais, Paris, 2016
Hamsaneh, Shahrivar Gallery, Tehran, 2017
Collection of Works on Paper, Silk and Digital Prints, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2017
Defying Plato on Architecture, In-Ja Hall, Tehran, 2020
Paper Narratives, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2020
This is Tehran, Javid Gallery, Tehran, 2021
Collector 9, Artibition Gallery, Tehran, 2021
Spring Exhibition, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2021
Conscious Dreams – Online Exhibition, Gallery O, Tehran, 2021
Part of the Work, Novan Gallery, Tehran, 2022
Passage, VO Curations, London, 2022
For Life, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2022
Somewhere Else, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2023
Recovery / Series 4, Nian Gallery, Tehran, 2023
First Bostan Biennale, Bostan Gallery, Tehran, 2023
For Hope, Aran Projects, Tehran, 2023
Long Tale, Bawan Gallery, Dubai, 2024
Summer Exhibition 2025, Royal Academy, London, 2025
Art Fairs
Creek Art Fair, Dubai, 2008
Art Dubai, presented by Mah Gallery, Dubai, 2011
Awards and Nominations
One of the Eight Selected for the Magic of Persia Award, 2010
Nominee, Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Award, Traffic Gallery, Dubai, 2011
Participation in the Venice Biennale, The Great Game, Iran Pavilion, 2015
