Mehdi Ghadyanloo

Mehdi Ghadyanloo is an Iranian artist best known for his gigantic trompe l’oeil-style murals in central Tehran and his surreal and minimalist themed paintings. Ghadyanloo's work provides an autobiographical perspective, portraying the landscapes of his youth, his memories of Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), and his life experience in the Islamic Republic. While his creations may occasionally evoke somber tones, hinting at a utopia unattained, they ultimately convey a message of hope for transformative change and celebrate the enduring beauty found amidst adversity. Ghadyanloo is recognized as one of Middle East’s leading public artists.

Born in Karaj, Iran, in 1981, Ghadyanloo grew up near the agricultural fields in the suburbs of Tehran during the Iraq War. He studied at Tehran University’s College of Fine Arts and graduated with a BA in 2005. Subsequently, he earned an MA in film studies from Tehran’s Teachers College (Tarbiyat-e Modarres). Between 2004 and 2011, he painted over 100 gigantic murals throughout Iran’s capital,to elevate the visual quality of life in Tehran to bring hope and color to the Grey, depressed city of Tehran. In 2016, he made history as the first Iranian artist commissioned in both Iran and the US since the 1979 revolution, with the completion of a massive mural for the Rose Kennedy Greenway project in Boston, USA. Ghadyanloo currently lives and works in Germany.