LONDON.- Reza Derakshani is a most worthy choice for the second exhibition of Iranian art at Osborne Samuel Gallery. He follows our well received show in June 2009 which brought the works of Sadegh Tirafkan, Behrouz Rae and Morteza Darehbaghi to London for the first time.

The gallery has always shown a great interest in art from those countries where there is a vibrant art scene that is perhaps under-represented in London . Osborne Samuel Gallery pioneered the showing of Indian contemporary art some years ago and are now embarking on an ambitious programme to show the best Iranian artists. In spite of the upheavals in that country there is no doubting the unique strength and importance of the art that is being made in Iran , steeped in history and tradition yet entirely relevant to today’s world. These artists are free spirits, they deserve to be heard and their work deserves to be seen.

Derakshani is an exceptional talent who made waves early on both in Iran and during a long period in USA . Returning to Iran in 2003 he is now recognised as one of the country’s leading painters, as well as a noted composer, singer and instrumentalist.

Talented, painter, musician and performance artist Derakshani was born in Sangsar, a small village in the north east of Iran. His nomadic childhood had an enormous impact on his appreciation for his surroundings and its natural beauty, which is so often evident in his works.

A child prodigy receiving his first commission at nine, he held his first solo exhibition at the renowned Ghandriz Gallery, Tehran at the age of nineteen. Graduating in 1976 from the faculty of Fine Art at the University of Tehran, he continued his studies at the Pasadena School of Art, California, USA. Returning to Iran, he taught Art and Graphic Design at the University of Tehran and the school of Decorative Arts. His teaching career was curtailed in 1983 following the Islamic Revolution, when he left Tehran to settle in New York for the next twenty years. Returning to live and work in Iran only in the last seven years.

A composer, vocalist, instrumentalist and performer Derakshani often compliments his exhibitions with a musical performance. He has collaborated on several occasions with renowned international poets, dancers and musician.

His works have been exhibited and collected through out Europe, USA and the Middle East.