RAOOF HAGHIGHI

“Painting is like breathing for me.”

 

 

Raoof Haghighi is a self-taught, versatile artist whose work blends classical technique with contemporary themes. With over 70 group exhibitions and 40 solo shows across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Iran, Spain, and the Czech Republic, Raoof has earned international recognition for his emotionally resonant and technically masterful artworks.

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In 2021, his surreal drawing “Just Take Them and Leave Me Alone” quietly struck a powerful chord online. The image — raw, intimate, and emotionally charged — was widely shared across social media platforms, reposted by major art pages, and viewed by millions around the world. Although he did not actively promote the piece, its organic spread reflects the deep emotional connection viewers found in it.

 

He has been featured in some of the art world’s most respected exhibitions and prizes, including:

 

• BP Portrait Award – National Portrait Gallery, London (2011, 2015, 2017)

• Threadneedle Prize (2012, 2013, 2014)

• Royal Society of British Artists (2014–2016)

• Royal Society of Portrait Painters (2014, 2015, 2017)

• Royal Society on Oil Painters (2022)

 

 

In 2014, Raoof won the London Heat of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, broadcast on Sky Arts TV, and in 2011 he was named Artist of the Year by Artists & Illustrators magazine.

 

His achievements include:

 

• Gold Memorial Bowl Award – Best Miniature (Royal Society of Miniature Painters, 2017)

• The Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award (2019)

• UK Coloured Pencil Society – Best Pure Coloured Pencil & GreatArt Award (2017)

• Honorary MA in Art (2010), awarded for his contribution to arts and education

 

 

Raoof’s paintings are predominantly oil on canvas, exploring universal themes such as identity, fear, conflict, and human behavior. He often merges realism with surreal, symbolic elements rooted in his Persian heritage and shaped by the modern world.

 

His works are held in private collections across Iran, Spain, China, Denmark, Thailand, France, the UK, and the USA.

 

 

 

 

📍 Selected Group Exhibitions

 

 

• Royal Society of Miniature Painters – Bankside Gallery, London (2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2023)

• Royal Institute of Oil Painters – Mall Galleries, London (2022)

• Figurativas Exhibition – MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain (2019)

• ModPortrait – Spain (2019)

• Galería Artelibre 20x20 – Zaragoza, Spain (2019, 2021)

• Five and Under – Arcadia Contemporary, Los Angeles (2018); Arcadia Fine Arts, New York (2015)

• International Exhibition – Prague City Gallery, Czech Republic (2018)

• Art Intersections – Cob Gallery, London (2017)

• UK Coloured Pencil Society Open International Exhibition – London (2017)

• Royal Society of Portrait Painters – Mall Galleries, London (2015, 2017)

• Face Value – Collyer Bristow Gallery, London (2016)

• The Threadneedle Prize – Mall Galleries, London (2012–2014)

• The Osborne Studio Gallery – London (2012)

• Artists & Illustrators Exhibitions – Mall Galleries, London (2014)

• Royal College of Art Show – London (2014)

• National Portrait Gallery BP Portrait Award Touring Shows – Exeter, Edinburgh, Belfast, Sunderland (2011–2018)

• 43 Group Exhibitions – House of Artists, Shiraz, Iran (1999–2008)

 

 

 

 

 

🖼️ Solo Exhibitions

 

• Osborne Studio Gallery, London – Presented by A Gallery (2024)

• Osborne Studio Gallery, London – Presented by A Gallery (2023)

• Bolton Museum, Greater Manchester, UK (2010)

• Chelsea Library, London (2009)

• 38 Solo Exhibitions – Tehran & Shiraz, Iran (1995–2008)

 

 

 

 

 

🏆 Awards

 

 

• The Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award – Royal Society of Miniature Painters (2019)

• Gold Memorial Bowl Award – Royal Society of Miniature Painters (2017)

• UK Coloured Pencil Society Awards – Best Pure Coloured Pencil & GreatArt Award (2017)

• Jackson’s “Drawn In” Competition – Overall Winner (2016)

• Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year – London Heat Winner (2014)

• Artists & Illustrators Magazine – Artist of the Year Winner (2011); Runner-up (2013)

• Honorary MA in Art – Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, Iran (2010)

• Multiple national awards in Iran’s Student Art Festivals (1992–1994)

 

 

 

 

 

✍️ Related Creative Work

 

 

• Illustration & Art Posters for internationally sold books and prints including:

• The Book of Change, Light Giver, Golden Temples of ECK, May The Blessing Be, True Friend, and Gaze of the Master (permanently displayed in Chanhassen Museum, USA)

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• ECK Masters Portraits – Global collector series

• Art featured in best-selling publications and spiritual works

 

 

 

 

 

📰 Articles & Interviews

 

 

• ZH Magazine – Persian Arts & Culture, California (2020)

• 4Walls Magazine, Arqadia (2018)

• Q&A, Ken Bromley Art Supplies (2018)

• Poets and Artists Magazine – Lorena Kloosterboer on Haghighi (2016)

• Cass Art – Sky Arts Portrait Artist (2014)

• Artists & Illustrators Magazine – Cover Feature & Interview (2011)

• Artspace Journal – Featured by Jonathan Treadwell (2011)

• Making a Mark Blog, London Art News Blog – Multiple reviews (2011–2015)

 

 

 

 

 

🎶 Other Artistic Activities

 

 

• Musician, guitarist, and animator

• Former member of Falsch Band (2001–2006) – Released 3 albums: Toward Itself (2003), Acoustic Mind (2004), Déjà Vu (2008)

• Music streaming on iTunes – Thinking of You (2012)

• Animated short films & time-lapse art videos, including:

  • Be Like a Cloud (2018)

  • Rain (2016)

  • The Traveller (2012)

  • 1000 Faces on 1 Canvas (2011)

  • Darshan, Soulful, Clouds, and more