Kourosh Shishegaran (born 1945, Qazvin) is a contemporary Iranian painter, graphic designer, and printmaker, and one of the leading figures of modern and contemporary art. He received his diploma in painting in 1967 from the Tehran Academy of Fine Arts and his bachelor's degree in interior architecture in 1973 from the Faculty of Decorative Arts, and began his professional career in the early 1970s.

 

His first solo exhibition was held in 1972 at the Mes Gallery in Tehran, which reflected his populist approach to connecting art with everyday life. In the 1970s, Shishegaran was widely active in the field of graphics and poster design, especially with the silk-screen printing technique, and created works with social and political themes. Among the leading works of this period is the poster "Peace for Lebanon", for which he received a certificate of appreciation from the United Nations.

 

His first foreign exhibition was held in Basel, Switzerland in 1976, and in 1977 he presented a series of volumetric works derived from everyday objects. He also expanded the boundaries between art and audience through experiments such as recreating the works of prominent artists and presenting Enghelab Street as a living work of art.

 

Since the early 1980s, Shishegaran’s artistic path has focused on line-based abstract paintings; works based on fluid, energetic, and rhythmic lines that have become his visual signature. These works create an abstract, suspended space by emphasizing movement, form, and inner expression.

 

Shishegaran’s works have been exhibited in numerous domestic and international exhibitions and biennials, establishing his position as one of the most influential artists in contemporary Iranian art.