Reza Derakhshani

Reza Derakhshani is a renowned painter and musician recognized globally for his artistry. After earning a diploma in Semnan, he studied painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran and continued his education at the California Art Center. Derakhshani also lectured at the University of Tehran and the Academy of Decorative Arts before immigrating to the United States. During his time in the U.S., he actively pursued both music and painting. He returned to Iran in 2002 and exhibited his works in prominent galleries such as the House of Iranian Artists, Niavaran Cultural Center, Azad Art Gallery, and Mah Gallery. His artworks have also been showcased in Britain, Italy, France, Switzerland, the United States, and other countries.

Derakhshani's paintings, much like his musical compositions, are rooted in improvisation. This approach means his works typically lack pre-designs or studies, making the final image unpredictable. Color plays a crucial role in his art, to the extent that some art experts categorize the different periods of his career based on his color palette.

In an interview regarding the impact of politics on his paintings, Derakhshani stated: "Using an obvious political slogan in artwork is not in my nature. I believe painting is not meant for that purpose; otherwise, it would be considered graphic design. Graphic design is suitable for newspapers, books, and similar mediums. Painting is more of a poetic language, which in my opinion should be much freer from such issues, and I have no inclination to do so at all. However, if the audience perceives something from a colorful work and relates it to any issue, that is another topic to discuss."