ArtDayME : Amid a wave of visual arts exploring the boundaries of imagination and reality, Mehrdad Fallah invites us into a realm of mythology, mysticism, and cosmic symbolism with his piece titled Wonder Creatures. Through his innovative mixed-media technique, he opens up new dimensions of image and meaning for the viewer.

Created in 2016 , and measuring 70×100 cm, this work centers on a hybrid, surreal being—faceless, seated or perhaps floating, its body adorned with motifs, symbols, and geometric lines. Within this pictorial world, human, animal, and cosmic elements are intricately woven together, as if the artist is manifesting a multilayered universe on the canvas.

The color palette—dominated by earthy browns, gold, dark green, and scattered touches of blue and white—evokes the aged texture of illuminated manuscripts, traditional Persian ornamentation, and simultaneously, the inner and outer cosmos. Fallah’s use of mixed media proves especially effective here: the layering and textural richness add visual depth, prompting the viewer to pause and reflect.

From an art historical perspective, this painting continues the lineage of Iranian modernist painters who, by reinterpreting elements of miniature painting, calligraphy, and visual mysticism, have forged a contemporary and introspective language. This lineage includes figures such as Hossein Zenderoudi, Faramarz Pilaram, and the evolving genre of contemporary calligraphic painting. Yet, in Wonder Creatures, Fallah delivers something deeply intuitive and mysterious—an encounter that transcends visual aesthetics and speaks to the soul.

His painting is not simply an exercise in form, but a visual pilgrimage. The canvas becomes a sanctuary for contemplation, a stage for creation, and a field of symbolic discovery. Featured in the artist’s monograph, this painting reminds us that art—particularly within the cultural context of Iran—remains a fertile ground for myth-making, spiritual imagery, and the artistic expression of the inner cosmos.

_Mehrdad Fallah’s Presence in the Art Market

Born in Tehran in 1975, Mehrdad Fallah was raised in a traditional household—though one far from ordinary. It was the same home that gave rise to one of the pioneers of Iranian contemporary painting: the late Sadegh Tabrizi, Fallah’s maternal uncle and his most influential mentor.

Fallah has participated in four major auctions, with all his works selling above their estimated prices. These include the 21st Tehran Auction in October 2024 , where his work fetched 187 million tomans; the 2nd National Auction in 2015 ; the Goharan Auction; and a charity auction in Los Angeles.

His works have been exhibited in countries including the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Belarus, Cyprus, Turkey, the United States (Los Angeles), Dubai, and of course, Iran. Remarkably, his entry into the art world dates back to 1998 , at the age of 23, with a behind-the-glass painting show at Gallery 66—an influential space founded by Sadegh Tabrizi himself.

Fallah has since held six solo exhibitions, among which Lion and Script at Art Center Gallery in 2015 received significant critical attention. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive style, blending painting with Iranian symbolism—carving a unique signature in contemporary art. His acclaimed series featuring lions, roosters, and of course, Wonder Creatures, have earned him widespread recognition.

Many art critics consider Mehrdad Fallah a prominent representative and reviver of the Saqqakhaneh School in the contemporary era—an artist who bridges Iran’s visual heritage with modern expression.