Parsoua Mahtash is an award-winning Iranian-born artist, originally from Tehran and currently based in the United States. His practice combines mastery of Nineteenth Century techniques with a contemporary conceptual vision, resulting in works that seek meaningful communication with their audience.

He spent his childhood in different cities across Iran and began studying Fine Arts under the supervision of renowned artists. At the age of 18, he launched his professional career in painting and drawing. After participating in several group exhibitions both inside and outside Iran, as well as publishing some of his works, he chose to step back from showcasing his paintings and devoted himself instead to studying the advanced techniques of the masters of art history, particularly those of the Nineteenth Century.

In parallel with his artistic research, he explored diverse creative disciplines including Photography, Stage Design, Music, Graphic Design, Advertising, and Branding. These pursuits led to collaborations with well-known brands and the realization of numerous individual and group projects.

Following 15 years of studying traditional techniques and gaining experience across multiple artistic fields, Mahtash began a new chapter in his career, developing a distinct approach to painting. As he has expressed: “Technique without concept is just a craft; and concept is pointless without mastery.” In his view, the fusion of the two results in artworks capable of establishing meaningful communication with their audience, which he considers the most essential element of contemporary art. This philosophy culminated in the creation of his first major series, “Re-Location, A Trilogy”, which was exhibited at Aaran Art Gallery in July 2021.

In 2022, his works were selected for the Lunar Codex Project and archived on the Moon, a project launched by SpaceX and NASA.

For more than two decades, Mahtash has been teaching painting and drawing based on international academic standards. He is also the Founder and Director of the Tehran Academy of Art, where he has trained and mentored many young artists, shaping the next generation of creatives.

Solo Exhibition

• 2025, “Elements of Disturbance”, Simine Paris Art Gallery, Paris, France.
• 2025, “Black & White”, Aran Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
• 2021, “Re-Location, A Trilogy”, Aaran Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran.

Selected Group Exhibitions

• 2024, “Landscape Plateau”, B Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
• 2024, “Hidden Curtains, Apparent Curtains”, Curated by Booyeh Sadatnia, O Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
• 2023, “16th International ARC Salon”, Sotheby’s, New York, United States.
• 2023, “For Life”, Curated by Nazila Noebashari, Aaran Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
• 2023, “Water Tank”, Atbin Gallery, Curated by Farhad Azarin, Tehran, Iran
• 2023, “Before Entering”, BA Gallery, Curated by Narges Soleimanzadeh, Tehran, Iran.
• 2022, “Ode to Spring”, Curated by Nazila Noebashari, Aaran Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
• 2021, “Ghalagh”, Atbin Gallery, Curated by Farhad Azarin, Tehran, Iran.
• 2021, “Sakoo 1400”, A Gallery, Curated by Narges Soleimanzadeh, Tehran, Iran.
• 2010, “Veri-Realism”, Curated by Zarvan Rouhbakhshan, Siin Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
• 2003, “Realist Painting Exhibition”, Saadabad Palace, Tehran, Iran.

Museum Collection

• 2022, British Museum, London, England (in progress).

Selected Awards

• 2022, First Place of the 16th International ARC Salon Competition, NJ, USA.
• 2022, Selected Artist of Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) to Inspire Designers to Create an Original Couture Outfit, CA, USA.
• 2022, Selected Artist of Lunar Codex, “The Polaris Collection”, launched by SpaceX and NASA to Placement Contemporary Arts on the Moon, CA, USA.

Events

• 2023, FIG Bilbao Art Fair, Selected Artist of Saye’ Gallery, Bilbao, Spain
• 2022, WOP Art Fair, Selected Artist of Saye’ Gallery, Lugano, Switzerland.

Publications

• 2021, Published Paintings, Companion Guide to Last’s Anatomy Book, Auckland, New Zealand.
• 2003, Published Paintings, Iranian Contemporary Artists book, Tehran, Iran.

Teaching Experiences

• 2020 – Present, Founder and Director, Tehran Academy of Art, Tehran, Iran.
•  2018 – 2020, Teaching Drawing and Painting, based on academic method, Sakoo Art School, Tehran, Iran.
• 2010 – present, Teaching Drawing and Painting, based on academic method, Inverse School, Tehran, Iran.
• 2002 – 2016, Teaching Drawing and Painting, based on academic method, Private Atelier, Tehran, Iran.

Relevant Other Professional Experiences

• 2025, Selected Artist, Hall of Famers Portrait Painting, FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Conference Hall, Rome, Italy.
• 2021, Selected Artist, Hall of Famers Portrait Painting, FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Conference Hall, Rome, Italy.
• 2017, Judge, Iran Advertising Contest, Tehran, Iran.
• 2010 – 2015, Art Director, Atibal Studio, Tehran, Iran.
• 2010 – 2015, Art Director, Carno Design Studio, Tehran, Iran.
• 2009, Selected Artist, Hall of Famers Portrait Painting, FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Conference Hall, Rome, Italy.