My Story
I am Sareh Mokhtari, an Iranian visual artist whose work is shaped by the social, political, and cultural realities of my homeland.
My artistic journey began with classical realism and gradually evolved into a personal language of surreal, symbolic, and conceptual art. Through painting, I explore themes of identity, censorship, religion, migration, and especially the lived experiences of women.
As a female artist in Iran, creating art was never separate from restriction. The female body, voice, and presence were often surrounded by silence and control. These experiences became part of my visual language and continue to shape my work today.
After leaving Iran in search of creative freedom, I lived in Austria and later moved to Germany. I am now based in Mallorca & Berlin, where I continue my artistic practice and connect with a wider international art community.
Biography
Sareh Mokhtari was born in Tehran in 1984. She studied Carpet Design at Tehran University of Art and later completed a Master’s degree in Painting at the Islamic Azad University, Faculty of Art and Architecture in Tehran.
Her practice includes oil painting, acrylic, pastel, and charcoal, with a focus on realism, surrealism, symbolism, and conceptual art. She has created original artworks, commissioned paintings, murals, and has worked as a drawing and painting teacher.
She founded the Renaissance Art Institute in Tehran in 2014 and has participated in exhibitions in Iran, France, England, and Spain.
Education
- BA in Carpet Design, Tehran University of Art, 2005–2009
- Academic drawing and painting courses, Mehr Academy, Tehran, 2012–2016
- MA in Painting, Islamic Azad University, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tehran, 2016–2018
Artistic Practice
- Oil painting, acrylic, pastel, and charcoal
- Classical realism, surrealism, symbolism, and conceptual art
- Original artworks and commissioned paintings
- Mural painting projects
- Art workshops and private painting lessons
- Drawing and painting education
Teaching Experience
- Founder and Manager of Renaissance Art Institute, Tehran, 2014
- Specialized one-day art workshops
- Drawing and painting teacher, Chehreh Art Institute, Tehran, 2016
- Drawing and painting teacher, Pazoukian Art Institute, Tehran, 2019
Exhibitions
- “Silence” — Solo Painting Exhibition, White Line Gallery, Tehran, 2017
- “Highlight” — Group Painting Exhibition, House of Young Photographers Gallery, Tehran, 2018
- “Self-Portrait” — Group Painting Exhibition, Anahita Gallery, Tehran, 2018
- “Art for People” — Group Painting Exhibition, Ghasr Museum, Tehran, 2019
- “Oasis” — Group Painting Exhibition, Sonia Monti Galerie, Paris, 2020
- “Culture Gate to Existence” — Group Painting Exhibition, The Holy Art Gallery, London, 2022
- “Eternal Beauty” — Group Painting Exhibition, The Fusion Gallery, Marbella, 2025
Workshops
- Fabric paint workshops, Berlin, 2025
- Pastel painting workshops, Berlin, 2025