About Afshin Naghouni

Afshin Naghouni known as Ash , was born on 25th August 1969 in Tehran , the capital city of Iran. Shortly after his birth the whole family moved to Ahwaz, a city near the Iraqi boarders, because of his father`s job.

From an very early age he showed an interest and love for drawing and painting , at the age of six his talent for painting was the talk of teachers in primary school.

In 1981 the war between Iran and Iraq forced his family to leave Ahwaz for the more central city of Isfahan, where he was accepted in the very respectful painting classes of Mister Nasr Isfahani. Ash, now twelve years old, cherished every minute of working among grown up and professional artists.

He did not stay at the painting class for long , leaving Isfahan again for Ahwaz.

In 1982 he took part in a national schools competition and won the first prize for painting and second for calligraphy.

There were no art schools in Ahwaz at the time, so Ash studied Biology in high school. After high school and national service he was on the move again , leaving Ahwaz for his native Tehran enjoying intense work in art classes and studying works of masters such as Rembrandt , Vermeer , Raphael and Cezanne , preparing himself for entry exams at the art university.

In 1994 he was over the moon to be accepted in the fine art university of Tehran but that did not last long , because an accident which left ash paralyzed and in a wheelchair. After two years of hard work and physiotherapy he got the movement in his arms back and using a special splint was able to paint again.

In 1997 , his first solo exhibition at Afrand gallery in Tehran was well received and sold out. In the same year Ash emigrated to England where he currently lives and works.