BIO
Zahra Zoghi (b. 1973, Tehran, Iran) is a multidisciplinary visual artist currently living and working in Tehran. Known for her intricate fusion of traditional Persian forms and contemporary abstraction, Zoghi’s practice centers around mixed media painting, with a focus on the recurring motif of birds. These symbolic figures serve as vessels for exploring cultural memory, personal mythology, and emotional states. Through bold, layered compositions and delicately crafted silhouettes, her work straddles the line between heritage and innovation.
At the core of Zoghi’s artistic language is her signature abstraction of birds—each form emerging as a distinct identity, carrying its own symbolism, narrative, or psychological weight. Bridging contemporary techniques with traditional visual references, she renders these creatures not merely as aesthetic subjects but as dynamic storytellers. Her work investigates themes of displacement, spiritual searching, and inner transformation, with the birds functioning as both personal archetypes and cultural messengers. By intertwining abstract gestures with recognizable forms, she constructs a unique visual syntax that is both deeply introspective and widely resonant.
Zoghi holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts and has exhibited her work worldwide. From 2008 to 2012, she established and ran Parmida Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she also taught art to a diverse international student base. Her paintings have appeared on the covers of several journals and magazines and have been featured in many others. Zoghi’s work continues to gain recognition for its compelling blend of cultural lineage and contemporary vision, earning features across both print and digital platforms dedicated to visual and literary arts
Education
2007-2008: Miniature and Illumination course at Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
2015-2019: BA of Fine Arts at Islamic Azad University of Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
2019-2021: MA of Art Research at Islamic Azad University of South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
Solo exhibitions
2013
Roots and Wings, Erik Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2012
Blooming of a Nation (fundraising exhibition for Tasputra Perkim Charity), Parmida Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2009
Persian Miniature, UPM University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Group exhibitions
2020
Hope of Colors, Bahman Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran
Expectation, Naghsh Gallery, Isfahan, Iran
Artistic Imagination, Niavaran Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2019
Beyond Spring, Saba Gallery, Tehran, Iran
Sky Visual Arts, Milad Tower, Tehran, Iran
Contemporary artists of Iran, Lunasanat Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey
Avayenaghsh, Pinelo Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey
2018
The Melody of the Pattern, Reza Abbasi Museum, Tehran, Iran
Untitled, Sheis Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2017
End of autumn, Ebn-e-Sina Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran
2015
Razavi Visual Arts, Shiraz, Iran
2014
Excellent Endeavor, Erik Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2012
Golden Lines, Parmida Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2011
Holy Quran Islamic Art & Calligraphy, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2010
Cultural Show, UPM University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2009
Pertandingan Manifestasi Perdana Seni Khat, Malaysian Islamic Art Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2008
The 13th International Quran Exhibition, The Grand Mosalla of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2005
Fragrance of Rose, Bahman Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran
Press
2025, America’s Slide Towards Authoritarianism, an anthology, Artwork Published, “Where the Drone Hums, the Bird Flees”, The International Human Rights Art Movement, Press, New York, NY, USA
2025, 15th Issue, Artwork Published, “Margins Where I Begin”, Abstract Magazine: Contemporary Expressions
2025, ART/ificial Issue, Artwork Published, “Blueprint for Extinction”, Spare Parts Literary Magazine
2025, 466th Issue, Cover Feature, “The Wired Spirit”, Schlock! Webzine
2025, 15th Issue, Artwork Published, “Margins Where I Begin”, Mignolo Arts Center- Pinky Thinker Press, New Jersey, USA
2025, 4th Issue, Cover Feature, “The Wisteria Stare”, Balestra Magazine
2025, 10th Issue, Artwork Published, “Celestial Visitors”, 7th-Circle Pyrite literary
journal
2025, Winter Issue, Artwork Published, “Pains Paradox “, Juste Milieu Zine literature and art publication
2025, 5th Volume, Artwork Published, “Still, a Way”, Quibble Literary Magazine
2025, 1st Issue, Cover Feature, “ Inner Architecture”, 149 Online Literary Magazine
2025, 3rd Issue, Artwork Published, “Nest Built From What Remains”, Querencia Press – Scavengers Literary Magazine, Chicago IL, USA
2025, Homer’s Oddities, Issue, Cover Feature, ” Tangled
in the Odyssey”, Making Waves: A West Michigan Literary Review, Michigan, USA
2025, 16th Issue, Artwork Published, “Bath of Shirin”, Waxing & Waning literary journal, Tennessee, USA
2025, Summer Issue, Artwork Published, “Location Unknown”, The Good Life Review literary journal, Nebraska, USA
2025, July Issue, Artwork Published, “Abstract Aviary” Collection, Midway Journal, Minnesota, USA
2025, Artwork Published, “The Gathering Beneath”, Red Flag poetry postcard Journal, Pennsylvania, USA
2025, 9th Issue, Artwork Published, “Inner Child”, LEVITATE Literary and Art Magazine, Illinois, USA
2025, Winter Issue, Cover Feature, “Simurgh’s Celestial Sojourn”, LETTERS Journal, Yale
University, Connecticut, USA
2025, Spring Issue, Artwork Published, “Where Legends Converge”, Ignatian Literary Magazine, University of San Francisco, California, USA
2024, Winter Issue, Cover Feature, “Eroding Bonds”, Assignment Literary Magazine,
Southern New Hampshire University, New Hampshire, USA
2024, Fall Issue, Artwork Published, “Whisper of Wings”, Welter Literary Magazine, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
2024, Fall Issue, Artwork Published, “Past Meets Play,” Stoneboat Literary Journal, Wisconsin, USA
Art workshops
2015-2019, Techniques in Illumination, Calligraphy, and Gold Leaf Gilding, International Quran Exhibition, Tehran, Iran
2012, Miniature and Illumination Workshop, Malaysian Islamic Art Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2012, Calligraphy Art Demonstration, Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Professional contributions
2011, Sponsoring Cultural Event, Ampang Jaya District Police Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2010–2012, Professional artistic and cultural collaboration with the Cultural Section of the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Awards & recognitions
2019, 2nd Place, Haft Sin Art Competition, Azad University Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2016, 2nd Place in the
Miniature and Illumination Category, 21st Art and Literature Festival, Azad
University Tehran, Tehran, Iran