Reza Derakshani (b. 1952, Sangsar, Iran) is a distinguished painter, musician, and performance artist whose multifaceted career spans several decades and continents. Raised in a nomadic family atop a mountain in northeastern Iran, his early life amidst nature’s vivid landscapes profoundly influenced his artistic sensibilities.

Derakshani’s formal art education began at the University of Tehran, where he graduated in 1976. He furthered his studies at the Pasadena School of Art in California. Upon completing his education, he returned to Iran to teach at the University of Tehran and the School of Decorative Arts. However, following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, he left Iran, eventually settling in New York City in 1985, where he lived and worked for sixteen years.

During his time in New York, Derakshani immersed himself in the Abstract Expressionist movement and became associated with the Neo-Expressionist revival of painting in the 1980s. He formed connections with notable artists such as Francesco Clemente and Cy Twombly. His work is characterised by a fusion of abstract and figurative elements, reflecting both Eastern and Western cultural influences. He often incorporates traditional Persian motifs, calligraphy, and themes into his contemporary compositions.

Beyond painting, Derakshani is an accomplished musician and poet. He has performed at various venues, including the Brooklyn Museum and the Montreux Jazz Festival, blending his musical talents with his visual art in performances that evoke the sensation of painting with sound.

Derakshani’s works are held in numerous prestigious public collections, such as The British Museum in London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and The State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.