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Reza Mafi, a calligrapher and pioneer of the calligraphic painting movement, was born in 1943 in Mashhad, Iran. His passion for art developed in childhood within an artistic family; he studied calligraphy under Jalaluddin E'tezadi and was influenced by his experiences in the marketplace and embroidery. At 18, he moved to Tehran, and after three years of scattered work, he joined the Iranian Calligraphers Association, studying under Hossein Mirkhani. Mafi focused on the style of Mirza Reza Gholamhosein Esfahani, which deeply influenced his work. He was among the first artists to blend calligraphy with painting, and his works caused a sensation when first exhibited at Seyhoon Gallery. His art is rooted in skillful Nastaliq script and familiarity with Persian literature. Inspired by mosque stucco work, he created embossed, three-dimensional pieces, using new materials and glazing techniques to push modern calligraphy toward spatial experiments. He remained loyal to traditional calligraphy in his choice of colors, avoiding bright hues. Reza Mafi died in Tehran in 1982 in the peak of his artistic career due to an accident.
Solo Exhibitions
2024 Solo Exhibition “A Review of Selected Works by Reza Mafi” at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran
Group Exhibitions
2009 Group Exhibition “Painting” at Mah Gallery, Tehran
2010 Group Exhibition “Painting” at Mah Gallery, Tehran
2013 Group Exhibition “Modern Iran” at Asia Society and Museum, New York
2013 Group Exhibition “Calligraffiti: 1984-2013” at Leila Heller Gallery, New York
2013 Group Exhibition “Painting” at Mah Gallery, Tehran
2014 Group Exhibition “Zoo” at Shirin Gallery, Tehran
2014 Group Exhibition “Zoo” at Shirin Gallery, Tehran
2015 Group Exhibition “Tarannom-e Shekouh” at Shekouh Gallery, Tehran
2016 Group Exhibition “Contemporary Calligraphy” at Did Gallery, Tehran
2016 Group Exhibition “Year-End” at Did Gallery, Tehran
2017 Group Exhibition “Veterans of Contemporary Art” at Negah Gallery, Tehran
2017 Memorial Exhibition for Reza Mafi at Taraneh Baran Gallery, Tehran
2017 Group Exhibition “Shekouh-e Honar” at Shekouh Gallery, Tehran
2018 Group Exhibition “Open Sale” at Free Designers Gallery, Tehran
2018 Group Exhibition “Summer Exhibition” at Mah Gallery, Tehran
2018 Group Exhibition “100 Works 100 Artists” at Golestan Gallery, Tehran
2020 Group Exhibition “One by One” at Free Designers Gallery, Tehran
2021 Group Exhibition “1400 with Contemporary Painters – Online Exhibition” at Imam Ali (AS) Religious Arts Museum, Tehran
2021 Group Exhibition “Veterans of Art” at Negah Gallery, Tehran
2023 Group Exhibition “Selected Contemporary Artists” at Art Center, Tehran
2023 Group Exhibition “Standing in Memory” at Sohrab Gallery, Tehran
2023 Group Exhibition “Veteran Artists Exhibition” at Negah Gallery, Tehran
2024 Group Exhibition “Golden Years” at Far Gallery, Tehran
