Movahed Beyranvand
Artist Statement
There is a boundary between reality and the mind that not all human beings are aware of.
Things happen in our minds under the influence of external factors. Our outward appearance, however, differs from our inner selves, a difference that is sometimes invisible and sometimes corresponds to what lies within.
Myths were created by the human mind and exist within our unconscious. These paintings are that part of my unconscious which remains intangible even to me; they point more toward inner layers.
The mind shapes the human being bit by bit. The unconscious gradually reconstructs itself, sometimes victorious and sometimes defeated. At times, one is an unattainable saint, and at other times, a mute and bewildered demon.
These paintings are an attempt to depict what cannot be seen with the ordinary, everyday eye. Whatever it may be, it is a struggle between the human, the demon, and the animal, in different positions and roles within the world of existence.
In the Studio
He demonstrated an interest in art from an early age. During his adolescence, he attended an art high school, where he earned a diploma in Graphic Design.
From his years at art high school through his postgraduate studies, he received awards in several national student competitions at both school and university levels. He completed his masterβs degree in Illustration while simultaneously pursuing painting and mural art, both of which he continues to practice.
He has fifteen years of experience teaching art in schools in Tehran and ten years of experience teaching at art universities. His exhibition history includes two solo exhibitions: From Mem to Molana, an illustration exhibition held at the Arasbaran Cultural Center Gallery in 2018, and Divarvar, a painting exhibition held at Da Gallery in 2025. He has also participated in more than fifteen group exhibitions.
The central themes of his artistic practice revolve around demons, humans, and animals. In the field of mural art, he has designed and executed more than thirty works in Tehran and other cities across Iran. In 2019, he also designed and executed a mural in Doha, Qatar.
From the Studio
Curriculum Vitae
Education
- 2016 β MA in Illustration, Islamic Azad University
Awards
- 2011 β Second place, New City of Sahand Mural Art Festival, Iran
- 2011 β First place, Beautiful Waste Environmental Art Competition, Iran
- 2011 β First place, National University Entrance Exam for MA in Illustration, Islamic Azad University, Iran
- 2009 β First place, International Student Competition (Peace Poster), Iran
- 2003 β Third place, National Student Competition (Mehr Question, Caricature), Iran
- 2000 β First place, National High School Art Competition (Mehr Question, Pastel Painting), Iran
Solo Exhibitions
- 2025 β Div-var (like the demon), Da Gallery, Tehran
- 2018 β Illustration (From Mim to Molana), Arasbaran Cultural Center, Tehran
Group Exhibitions
- 2024 β Simorgh (Javid Gallery), Tehran
- 2023 β University of Art, Tehran
- 2021 β Parents Collection (Nian Gallery), Tehran
- 2019 β Rough Silence (Gozaar Gallery), Isfahan
- 2019 β House of Kindness (Pardis Mellat Gallery), Tehran
- 2019 β Maktoom - Cat - Demon (Sayeh Gallery), Tehran
- 2018 β Saadi Painting (Ebne Sina Cultural Center), Tehran
- 2017 β Hasnak Kojaei (Sales Gallery), Tehran
- 2015 β Process (Panjere Gallery), Tehran
- 2015 β Ravaq Gallery, Milad Tower (City of Art), Tehran
- 2013 β Mozh Group (Hojabr Gallery), Khoramabad
- 2010 β University of Art Gallery, Tehran
Publications & Press
- 2021 β Interview, Austrian National Television
- 2021 β Interview, HispanTV
Explore More
Selected Works
