Alireza Varzandeh
Upcoming Exhibition in Montecito July 16 - August 11
Reception | Friday, July 17 | 4 - 6pm
Performance by Music Academy of the West
New works will be available for acquisition on July 17
Alireza Varzandeh, a Spain-based painter of Iranian origin, masterfully blends abstraction and figuration to portray everyday life. His figures appear with blurred faces—mysterious and anonymous—yet their body language and posture reveal distinct personalities and stories. Across his canvases, scenes of youth, summer, and vacation burst to life, evoking themes of growth and vitality that carry over into his lush floral still-lifes, glowing with the rich colors of peak bloom .
Light plays a central role in his work—be it at beaches, cafés, or parks—imbuing his compositions with a bright, fresh ambiance. He combines a documentarian’s gaze with a playful spirit, capturing the spontaneity of daily life. Meanwhile, expansive, expressive brushstrokes layer his canvases—sometimes in twelve passages—building vibrant textures and radiating energy in every movement.
Varzandeh describes himself first and foremost as a craftsman painter. His process begins with photographic studies, which he initially sketches abstractly before developing them into layered works that oscillate between detail and blur, reminiscent of both Impressionism and abstraction.
Biography
Alireza Varzandeh is an Iranian-born contemporary painter known for expressive, large-scale figurative works that blend elements of Impressionism and abstraction. Born in Shiraz, Iran, in 1963, he studied illustration and design at the University of Tehran before continuing his education in Germany, where he earned a master's degree in graphic arts and fine painting. He has lived and worked in Germany and Spain, with periods spent in New York.
Varzandeh's paintings often depict everyday scenes—families at the beach, cyclists, cafés, parks, city streets, and vibrant floral still lifes. His figures typically have blurred or indistinct faces, encouraging viewers to focus on gesture, movement, and atmosphere rather than individual identity. Through layered brushstrokes, luminous color, and dynamic textures, he creates works that feel both spontaneous and emotionally resonant.
His artistic process usually begins with photographs that he takes as visual references. He sketches these images loosely, develops them in oil, and repeatedly reworks the surface with expressive brushstrokes, sometimes applying numerous layers of paint. This technique creates a sense of motion and soft focus while preserving the energy of the original scene.
Varzandeh's early life was shaped by political repression in Iran, where he was detained as a young artist for paintings depicting violence he witnessed during the 1970s. After arriving in Germany as a political refugee in the late 1980s, his work gradually evolved toward brighter, more optimistic subjects, emphasizing light, leisure, and the beauty of ordinary life.
Today, Alireza Varzandeh's paintings are exhibited internationally and are represented by galleries in Europe and the United States, where they are appreciated for their vibrant color, expressive technique, and evocative portrayal of contemporary life
Born
1963 Shiraz, Perisa, Iran.
Education
1992 Masters Degree in fine graphics and outdoor painting at the University of Applied Sciences for Art and Design.
1981-5 Design studies at the University of Tehran, Iran.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Montecito and St. Helena, CA
2022 Art Karlsruhe, One artist show, Galerie Barbara von Stechow
Galerie Cyprian Brenner
2021 Art Karlsruhe, one artist show, Barbara von Stechow Gallery
2020 Gallery Cyprian Brenner, Schwäbisch Hall
Recent Works, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2019 Art Market San Francisco, Caldwell Snyder Gallery
Recent Works, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco
2018 Art Karsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Art of Obsession Gallery, Bergen am See, Netherlands
Gallery Kunstblick, Balingen, Germany
Kunsthaus Fischer, Stuttgart, Germany
2017 Art Karsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany
Art Karlsruhe, Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
Gallery Beate Berndt, Augsburg, Germany.
CA’n Castel, Mallorca, Spain.
Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
2016 Art Karlsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
Gallery Art Look, Balingen, Germany.
Kunsthaus Fischer, Stuttgart, Germany.
Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
2015 Castle Known, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
Art Karsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
2014 Art Karlsruhe, project space Knut Osper, Germany.
Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
Cultural Center, Bad Homburg, Germany.
Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
2013 Art Karlsruhe, project space Knut Osper, Germany.
Project room Knut Osper, Germany.
2012 Art Karlsruhe, Gallery Kampl, Germany.
Gallery Michael Nolte Münster, Germany.
2011 Project room Knut Osper, Germany.
2010 Gallery Dagmar Schmidla, Cologne, Germany.
Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
Gallery Dagmar Schmidla, Cologne, Germany.
2008 Gallery Joy of Peace, Cologne, Germany.
2007 Gallery Josef Nisters, Speyer, Germany.
2004 Gallery Josef Nisters, Speyer, Germany.
2003 Gallery Josef Nisters, Speyer, Germany.
Press
PRESS
Selected Artworks
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Born
1963 Shiraz, Perisa, Iran.
Education
1992 Masters Degree in fine graphics and outdoor painting at the University of Applied Sciences for Art and Design.
1981-5 Design studies at the University of Tehran, Iran.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Montecito and St. Helena, CA
2022 Art Karlsruhe, One artist show, Galerie Barbara von Stechow
Galerie Cyprian Brenner
2021 Art Karlsruhe, one artist show, Barbara von Stechow Gallery
2020 Gallery Cyprian Brenner, Schwäbisch Hall
Recent Works, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2019 Art Market San Francisco, Caldwell Snyder Gallery
Recent Works, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco
2018 Art Karsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Art of Obsession Gallery, Bergen am See, Netherlands
Gallery Kunstblick, Balingen, Germany
Kunsthaus Fischer, Stuttgart, Germany
2017 Art Karsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany
Art Karlsruhe, Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
Gallery Beate Berndt, Augsburg, Germany.
CA’n Castel, Mallorca, Spain.
Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
2016 Art Karlsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
Gallery Art Look, Balingen, Germany.
Kunsthaus Fischer, Stuttgart, Germany.
Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
2015 Castle Known, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
Art Karsruhe, Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
2014 Art Karlsruhe, project space Knut Osper, Germany.
Gallery Barbara von Stechow, Frankfurt, Germany.
Cultural Center, Bad Homburg, Germany.
Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
2013 Art Karlsruhe, project space Knut Osper, Germany.
Project room Knut Osper, Germany.
2012 Art Karlsruhe, Gallery Kampl, Germany.
Gallery Michael Nolte Münster, Germany.
2011 Project room Knut Osper, Germany.
2010 Gallery Dagmar Schmidla, Cologne, Germany.
Gallery Kampl, Munich, Germany.
Gallery Dagmar Schmidla, Cologne, Germany.
2008 Gallery Joy of Peace, Cologne, Germany.
2007 Gallery Josef Nisters, Speyer, Germany.
2004 Gallery Josef Nisters, Speyer, Germany.
2003 Gallery Josef Nisters, Speyer, Germany.
Alireza Varzandeh is an Iranian-born contemporary painter known for expressive, large-scale figurative works that blend elements of Impressionism and abstraction. Born in Shiraz, Iran, in 1963, he studied illustration and design at the University of Tehran before continuing his education in Germany, where he earned a master's degree in graphic arts and fine painting. He has lived and worked in Germany and Spain, with periods spent in New York.
Varzandeh's paintings often depict everyday scenes—families at the beach, cyclists, cafés, parks, city streets, and vibrant floral still lifes. His figures typically have blurred or indistinct faces, encouraging viewers to focus on gesture, movement, and atmosphere rather than individual identity. Through layered brushstrokes, luminous color, and dynamic textures, he creates works that feel both spontaneous and emotionally resonant.
His artistic process usually begins with photographs that he takes as visual references. He sketches these images loosely, develops them in oil, and repeatedly reworks the surface with expressive brushstrokes, sometimes applying numerous layers of paint. This technique creates a sense of motion and soft focus while preserving the energy of the original scene.
Varzandeh's early life was shaped by political repression in Iran, where he was detained as a young artist for paintings depicting violence he witnessed during the 1970s. After arriving in Germany as a political refugee in the late 1980s, his work gradually evolved toward brighter, more optimistic subjects, emphasizing light, leisure, and the beauty of ordinary life.
Today, Alireza Varzandeh's paintings are exhibited internationally and are represented by galleries in Europe and the United States, where they are appreciated for their vibrant color, expressive technique, and evocative portrayal of contemporary life
Biography
Press
Upcoming Exhibition in Montecito July 16 - August 11
Reception | Friday, July 17 | 4 - 6pm
Performance by Music Academy of the West
New works will be available for acquisition on July 17
Alireza Varzandeh, a Spain-based painter of Iranian origin, masterfully blends abstraction and figuration to portray everyday life. His figures appear with blurred faces—mysterious and anonymous—yet their body language and posture reveal distinct personalities and stories. Across his canvases, scenes of youth, summer, and vacation burst to life, evoking themes of growth and vitality that carry over into his lush floral still-lifes, glowing with the rich colors of peak bloom .
Light plays a central role in his work—be it at beaches, cafés, or parks—imbuing his compositions with a bright, fresh ambiance. He combines a documentarian’s gaze with a playful spirit, capturing the spontaneity of daily life. Meanwhile, expansive, expressive brushstrokes layer his canvases—sometimes in twelve passages—building vibrant textures and radiating energy in every movement.
Varzandeh describes himself first and foremost as a craftsman painter. His process begins with photographic studies, which he initially sketches abstractly before developing them into layered works that oscillate between detail and blur, reminiscent of both Impressionism and abstraction.
Alireza Varzandeh
Alireza Varzandeh portrays subjects in physical and emotional motion. With blurred faces, their identities are mysterious, yet each figure’s posture and form suggests a unique personality and history. Scenes of youth, summer, and vacation come alive on his canvases—themes of blossoming and vitality that carry into his floral still-lifes, which radiate the saturated colors of flowers at their height. Light infuses his palette, channeling the fresh atmosphere of the beaches, parks and cafés where he observes his figures with a playful but documentarian eye. Meanwhile, his outsized, expressive brushwork seems to gather as much life as possible into every stroke.
Upcoming Exhibition in Montecito July 16 - August 11
Reception | Friday, July 17 | 4 - 6pm
Performance by Music Academy of the West
New works will be available for acquisition on July 17
Alireza Varzandeh, a Spain-based painter of Iranian origin, masterfully blends abstraction and figuration to portray everyday life. His figures appear with blurred faces—mysterious and anonymous—yet their body language and posture reveal distinct personalities and stories. Across his canvases, scenes of youth, summer, and vacation burst to life, evoking themes of growth and vitality that carry over into his lush floral still-lifes, glowing with the rich colors of peak bloom .
Light plays a central role in his work—be it at beaches, cafés, or parks—imbuing his compositions with a bright, fresh ambiance. He combines a documentarian’s gaze with a playful spirit, capturing the spontaneity of daily life. Meanwhile, expansive, expressive brushstrokes layer his canvases—sometimes in twelve passages—building vibrant textures and radiating energy in every movement.
Varzandeh describes himself first and foremost as a craftsman painter. His process begins with photographic studies, which he initially sketches abstractly before developing them into layered works that oscillate between detail and blur, reminiscent of both Impressionism and abstraction.