فارسیSalar Ahmadian, born in 1957 in Dezful, is a distinguished calligrapher and painter of the contemporary Naghsh-e-Khat (painting-calligraphy) movement. He began his calligraphy training under the supervision of Master Amirkhani, achieving the highest level of excellence, and later studied Nastaliq and Shekasteh scripts with Master Kaboli. In the 1980s, he emigrated to Canada, where he has continued his professional career in contemporary art, creating paintings and sculptures for over forty years.
Ahmadian’s first solo exhibition was held in 1994 at the Manly Art Gallery in Sydney, and that same year his works were also displayed at the Bernadette Gallery in Vancouver. Since then, he has held numerous solo exhibitions in cities such as Paris, London, Dubai, Toronto, Washington D.C., Beijing, Amsterdam, Chicago, San Francisco, Melbourne, Montreal, Cologne, Geneva, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Tehran. His works are preserved in major international museums, including the Chicago Museum, the Manly Art Gallery in Sydney, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran.
Ahmadian’s Naghsh-e-Khat style blends the rules of traditional calligraphy with a painterly vision. By layering letters and creating visual rhythms, he produces depth and movement in his canvases. The letters in his works intertwine and overlap, generating both visual depth and rhythmic flow. He approaches color boldly, employing bright and pure tones to create a visual effect reminiscent of Pop Art. In some works, the speed and intensity of the letter rhythms and rope-like extensions give rise to expressive, dynamic compositions. Additionally, in certain pieces, he employs Op Art techniques to produce optical illusions and visual motion—a feature that became especially prominent in his works during the 1990s.
Through innovative compositions, imaginative use of color, and unconventional Nastaliq and Persian tile motifs, Ahmadian has developed a unique style and method within contemporary art. His works reflect both a commitment to the traditions of calligraphy and a boldness in artistic innovation, earning him notable recognition among collectors and art critics. The respected Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail has described him as a painter of distinctive style and an extraordinary artist.