ALI CHITSAZ

Born in Tehran, Iran in 1979, Ali Chitsaz studied at the Azad University of Tehran and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has exhibited prolifically in Iran in solo and group exhibitions and has shown internationally in London, Athens, Dubai, Cambridge, Chicago, and New York. He currently lives and works in New York City.

Chitsaz finds painting a form of escapism and his narrative images of the "Mullah" allow the artist to openly share his views of the military and religious officials. Chitsaz feels his politically minded art can allow individuals to openly address the issues of patriarchy in Iran stating, "When you talk about these things, people say, "What a foul-mouth!" but when you paint them, fusing some happy red and some hot yellow, they laugh and say, "Good Job!"