Biography – CV
Hossein Khosrojerdi
Hossein Khosrojerdi is one of Iran’s most prominent artists whose career spans a historical period—before, during, and after the 1979 revolution.
Khosrojerdi was born in 1957 in Tehran, Iran. Discovering his love for art at an early age, Hossein dropped out of high school and joined a special art education school (Honarsara) and learned fundamentals of visual arts, primarily painting from well-known masters of the time. In 1976, he enrolled in the Tehran University School of Fine Arts and became involved in political activities, which led to the Iranian revolution in 1979. He devoted his art to support the revolution by designing posters, caricatures, and propaganda flyers.
After the revolution, when the art scene in Iran dramatically changed, Hossein and a few other artists founded the Islamic Art Association, (“Hozeh).” They were called “Artists of the Revolution” and worked on subjects of war and martyrdom in support of the revolution.
In the next few years, when the revolution brought another round of discrimination and oppression, Hossein’s work turned satiric and critical. Forgotten Principles is the title of a series that best depicted his disappointment and criticism of the political environment at that time (1982-1999).
In 2000, Khosrojerdi’s post-religious transformation prompted a unique series of digital media with mummies representing issues which humankind faces on a daily basis (2000-2009).
In 2009, an uprising over the fraudulent presidential election in Iran drove Hossein and his four children to seek political asylum in England. In exile, Hossein continued his work starting by a series of dark buildings with the yearning for a place to call home. His most recent work is a collection of abstracts meticulously textured and composed (2010-present).
Khosrojerdi is the winner of numerous awards and juror of major art competitions in Iran and abroad. His work has been exhibited in galleries and auction houses around the world. He currently lives and works in London.
Born
Tehran, Iran – 1957
Education
BA in Fine Arts, Tehran University, Iran – 1985
High School Diploma, Tehran School of Fine Arts, Iran – 1976
Solo Exhibitions
2014 Tara Gallery – Los Angeles, CA, USA
2013 Bermondsey Project Gallery – London, UK
2009 Xerxes Fine Arts Gallery – London, UK
2006 Naar Gallery – Tehran, Iran
1988 University of Tehran Gallery – Tehran, Iran
1985 Tehran Soureh Gallery – Tehran, Iran
Group Exhibitions
2013 Tara Gallery – Los Angeles, CA, USA
2010 IN & OUT Project Gallery in collaboration with Xerxes Art – Milan, Italy
2010 James Grey Gallery – Los Angeles, CA, USA
2001 Beijing, China
2006 Kiev, Ukraine
2004 Leiden, Netherlands
2003 National Arts Club – New York City, NY, USA
2003 50th Venice Biennale – Venice, Italy
2002 Don O’Melveny Gallery – West Hollywood, CA, USA
2001 Sharjah Festival – United Arab Emirates
2001 Shanghai, China
2001 Beijing, China
2000 New York City, NY, USA
2000 Kuwait City, Kuwait
1997 International Triennial, India
1997 Baku, Azerbaijan
1997 Paris, France
1994 International Triennial, India
1986 Islamabad, Pakistan
1985 Moscow, Russia
1985 Paris, France
1984 Damascus, Syria
1980 Copenhagen, Denmark
Memberships
Jury member of several festivals and competitions, including: Fadjr International Film Festival (Photography, Poster and Announce), Esfahan International Children and Adolescents Film Festival (Iranian Cinema), Graphic Design, Cartoon and Painting Biennials in Iran
Awards
2001 Grand Prize winner of the International Sharjah Biennial, UAE
1997 Selected Artist, the Third Painting Biennial in Iran
1991 First Prize winner of the First Painting Biennial in Iran
1991 Certificate of Honor, the International Exhibition of Global Peace in Moscow
1987 Selected Artist, the International Fadjr Film Festival (Film Poster)
