ArtDayMe : Born in 1978 in Tehran, Kiarash Yaghoubi holds the rank of Master from the Iranian Calligraphers Association and has been teaching calligraphy since 1999, when he was only 21. Yet the trajectory of his artistic evolution—his dual calligraphic and painterly practice—calls for far more explanation: the journey from classical calligraphy to pioneering, geometry-based minimalism tells the story of an artistic rebirth.

At the outset, like all Iranian masters of his generation, Yaghoubi was deeply rooted in the traditions of classical calligraphy. But this phase did not last long. With a solid grasp of the principles and origins of the art, he soon ventured into innovations that became his signature.

His artistic life began in 1990, self-taught through studies of the old masters until 1996. That same year he grew drawn to contemporary styles, tirelessly practicing from the treatise Adab al-Khatt while also seeking feedback from established masters.

By 1998 he began experimenting with wall writings, and in 1999, he joined Mehdi Fallah’s calligraphy classes while simultaneously teaching basic principles of the craft himself.

Yaghoubi’s fascination with color soon led him to produce several early calligraphy-paintings on cardboard in the early 2000s, though art was not yet his profession. Marriage to an artist transformed his path—“After marriage, all my work and life revolved around art,” he later remarked.

His first solo exhibition in 2008 at the Reza Abbasi Museum—one of Tehran’s most esteemed museums—featured his classical calligraphy alongside illumination and Persian painting by his wife, receiving wide acclaim and introducing his name to the art community.

Gradually, his calligraphy-paintings gained recognition. His acquaintance with Mojdeh Tabatabaei, director of Mojdeh Gallery, in the late 2000s became a turning point: in their first collaboration he exhibited at Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, where both his works were sold—an energizing milestone.

Another solo exhibition followed in 2011 at Seyhoun Gallery, one of Tehran’s oldest galleries, winning much praise.

The real breakthrough came in 2013 and 2014: under Mojdeh Art Gallery’s management, seven of Yaghoubi’s works were selected and purchased by the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia for its permanent collection.

The museum invited both Yaghoubi and Mojdeh to Kuala Lumpur for the opening, where he was introduced to many leading figures of calligraphy and calligraphy-painting in the Middle East and received high acclaim.

 [Kiarash Yaghoubi, Mojdeh Tabatabaei and Naja Mahdavi at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia]

Returning to Iran, he staged the exhibition Asma al-Husna at Taraneh Baran Gallery, where all works were sold.

In early 2014, Mojdeh Gallery secured Yaghoubi’s first contract with Opera Gallery Dubai, leading to the sale of six works within a few months. From then on, he focused on concept-based exhibitions, and his calligraphy-paintings drew growing attention. Exhibitions followed in the UK, Japan, Bahrain, and Turkey—all of which resulted in sales.

During these years, Yaghoubi embraced experimentation: from classical forms of calligraphy to typography, and even works that leaned more toward painting than writing. Yet the enforced solitude of the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped his creative process. His recent focus on form-writing soon caught attention, dazzling audiences at AlBahie Auction in Doha. Minimal colors, dense textured lines ranging from fine to bold, deep chromatic layers, and occasional use of gold and silver leaf have once again captivated collectors.

_From the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia to Opera Gallery Dubai

This is a remarkable résumé for an artist in his forties: Kiarash Yaghoubi has won ten major calligraphy awards in Iran, including first prize at the Tehran Qalam Calligraphy Festival and recognition for best work at the 400th anniversary of Mir Emad’s passing.

He has held over ten solo exhibitions and participated in more than thirty group shows. Seven of his works are preserved in the permanent collection of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, the largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia. Six works sold at Opera Gallery Dubai, followed by strong sales in London, Japan, Bahrain, the UAE, and Turkey.

On February 25, 2025, Yaghoubi unveiled his latest series at AlBahie Auction in Doha—works unlike any before. At this auction, one of his 100 × 100 cm canvases sold for USD 2,600.

Such milestones have opened the doors of many prominent collections to his art.