Born in Tehran in 1978, Rokni lives and works in Dubai along with his brother Ramin Haerizadeh. The brothers share an art studio with their good friend and fellow artist Hesam Rahmanian. Rokni can be found in the studio most days whilst working on his latest creation.

Besides, his recent ‘Fictionville Series’ which was mixed media, the majority of his works are oil on canvas. His paintings contain narratives and explore the extremities of human behaviour. Rokni always tells a poignant story through his paintings. For symbolism, he uses a lot of Persian folklore and sometimes meanings taken from poetic language.

There are many elements in his pieces including brief flashes of literature, combined with the imagery from modern events and historical moments. Some of his works see people become animals and animals turn into other things like distinguished individuals. Ultimately, Rokni shows the world in a different light, at an alternative angle. It is almost as if he strives to take the turmoil surrounding us and turn it into something more comical which makes it easier for us to live with.

Evidently, contemporary Iranian society may appear to be the focus in many of his paintings, but he also sends out clear statements that extend far beyond his country and affect the people all over the globe.

Over the past few years, Rokni has achieved record sales with many of his works. By 2008 he had already sold works with Bonhams and Christie’s at record prices and his market has grown exponentially since then.

Rokni Haerizadeh has had several solo shows in Dubai with B21 Gallery, and participated in group shows such as Charles Saatchi’s Unveiled: New Art From The Middle East (2009), and Raad-o-Bargh at Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in Paris (2009). He has appeared at NoMoreGrey gallery in London (2007) and had shows with Galerie Nathalia Obadia in Belgium and another show Thaddaeus Ropac in June 2010.

His work is currently in the private collections of:

Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran
Charles Saatchi Collection, London, UK
JP Morgan Collection, NY, USA
Devi Art Foundation, Delhi India
British Museum, London, United Kingdom
Francois-Henri Pinault Collection
Hafiz Foundation, Farjam Collection, Dubai
Rubell Family Collection

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