Mohammad Ehsaei

Mohammad Ehsaei

Seyed Mohammad Ehsaei is one of the most renowned contemporary Iranian artists in the fields of calligraphy, calligraphic painting, and graphic design. He was born in 1939 in Qazvin. He completed his studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran and taught for many years at prestigious universities, including the University of Tehran and Alzahra University. Since the 1970s, Ehsaei has opened a new chapter in Iranian calligraphic painting by reinterpreting traditional calligraphy in modern forms. His works present a poetic blend of Islamic calligraphic forms, modern visual structures, and an introspective search for meaning and spiritual reflection. His use of color, space, and rhythm in lettering transcends conventional writing, transforming it into a visual and spiritual expression. Ehsaei’s artistic career includes designing cultural logotypes, holding numerous exhibitions both domestically and internationally, and participating in prominent global auctions. Critics regard him as a bridge between tradition and modernity in contemporary Iranian art—a master who draws on the authenticity of Persian script and a minimalist approach to present spiritual concepts in innovative and universal forms. His works are internationally recognized, with many pieces preserved in the Metropolitan Museum and British museums.

Resume

Artistic Resume

1950s–1960s | Early Work and Education

  • 1951–1958: Teaching in Tehran schools under the Ministry of Education
  • 1961–1965: Worked as a calligrapher, editor, and art consultant for the Iranian Educational Books Organization
  • 1966: Entered the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
  • 1968: First place in Visual Arts Students Competition
  • 1968: Participated in several group exhibitions in Iran and abroad

1970s | Education and Artistic Consolidation

  • 1970: Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
  • 1971: Awarded first prize as top Iranian artist
  • 1971: Began teaching at the University of Tehran, Faculty of Fine Arts
  • 1972: Solo exhibition at Seyhoon Gallery, Tehran; awarded Best Painter of the Year
  • 1973: Solo exhibition at the Iran-America Society, Tehran; received France’s National Award at the Calais-sur-Mer Festival
  • 1974: Solo exhibition at Lito Gallery, Tehran; recognized at Kenny-sur-Mer Festival; completed a 450 m² calligraphy project for University of Tehran; exhibited at Korosh Gallery, Paris
  • 1975: International Painting Festival award, Kenny-sur-Mer; group exhibition of innovative Iranian artists, Basel
  • 1976: Solo exhibition at Korosh Gallery, Paris

1978–1981 | Teaching and Artistic Projects

  • 1978: Official faculty membership at University of Tehran; design consultant and executor for the Theology Faculty Conference Hall, Tehran
  • 1980: Completed five calligraphy projects for a mosque in Tehran
  • 1981–1984: Group exhibition at the Bangladesh Biennale, Dhaka

1985–1990 | Institutional Activities and National Projects

  • 1985: Member of the Supreme Council of the Iranian Calligraphy Institute and Supreme Council for Professors’ Evaluation; member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution; designed a relief inscription for the National Museum of Iran
  • 1986: Joined the Iranian Graphic Designers Syndicate
  • 1987: Co-founded the Association of Painters
  • 1988: Member of the Supreme Council of Illustration in Iran; designed a 230 m² ceramic relief for the Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi
  • 1990: Executed a 30-meter inscription for the Ministry of Education Cultural Relations Department

1990s | Honors and Professional Memberships

  • 1991: Received Honorary Jury Award; participated in all biennials of painting, graphics, calligraphy, and Islamic art
  • 1996: Member of the Committee of Trusted Iranian Calligraphers and Scientific Association, University of Tehran
  • 1997: Joined the Iranian Painters’ Foundation
  • 1998: Member of the Supreme Council of the Iranian Graphic Designers Association
  • 2000: Solo exhibition at Zand Gallery, Dubai; group exhibition “Inheritance,” Lighthouse Museum, London

2000s | International Exhibitions and Awards

  • 2001: Group exhibition at Jahannama Gallery, Niavaran Palace; exhibition at Barbican Centre, London; solo exhibition at Ziba Gallery, Vancouver
  • 2005: Received the National First-Degree Culture and Art Medal
  • 2006–2009: Group exhibitions at the British Museum, Hermitage Museum, Museum of Oriental Art Moscow, and “Word in Art” exhibition, Dubai

2010s | International and Group Activities

  • 2011–2016: Group exhibition “Art of Iran,” Opera Gallery, London; “Iranian Art Now,” Setareh Gallery, Düsseldorf
  • 2018–2019: Over ten group exhibitions in Tehran and Iran, including “I, Sohrab Sepehri,” “100 Works by 100 Artists,” “Frame of Manifestation,” and “Infinity of Line and Color”

2020s–Present | Maturity and Global Recognition

  • 2021: Solo exhibitions “Online Studio,” “Recovered Treasure,” “Architecture of Letters and Words” in Tehran, Isfahan, and Dubai; group exhibition at Asia Society Museum, New York
  • 2022–2025: Numerous solo and group exhibitions at Artibition, Vesal Shirazi, Aknoon, Han, Negar, Leila Heller, and other prestigious galleries in Iran and abroad