Introduction to Mehri Akbari
Mehri Akbari was born in 1944 in the city of Yazd. When she was nine years old, her family relocated to Tehran—a move that nurtured her longstanding passion for painting and playing with colors. As a child, she learned the alphabet through color play and always gravitated toward school subjects that involved drawing and coloring. In geography class, she was the only student who would draw maps on the blackboard. Her interest and artistic talent took a more serious turn at the age of fifteen, when she began formal painting lessons under the guidance of Master Patgar. Later, with the professional mentorship of Master Mir-Emadi, she further developed her artistic path. She continues to recognize these two mentors as the foundational pillars of her journey in art.
For over 25 years, Ms. Akbari has been teaching oil painting at her private studio. Reuniting with her former students—many of whom have become accomplished professionals across the world—has always been a source of encouragement and pride for her.Many of them remain in touch with her to this day, and she wholeheartedly wishes them continued success.
For over 25 years, Ms. Akbari has been teaching oil painting at her private studio. Reuniting with her former students—many of whom have become accomplished professionals across the world—has always been a source of encouragement and pride for her.Many of them remain in touch with her to this day, and she wholeheartedly wishes them continued success.
Beyond her artistic work, since 1994, Mehri Akbari has been actively involved as a volunteer with the Ra’d Charity Foundation , a well-known Iranian NGO dedicated to providing rehabilitation, vocational training, and employment counseling for individuals with disabilities. As the head of the Women Volunteers Group at Ra’d, she has played a pivotal role in organizing cultural events, charity bazaars, and educational and financial support programs for underprivileged students. Notably, she was the first to initiate a painting course specifically tailored for individuals with disabilities within the organization. The Ra’d Foundation has since expanded, establishing branches in cities such as Kerman, Yazd, Karaj, Southwest Tehran, Zanjan, and Pishva.
Mehri Akbari’s cultural and artistic contributions have also been documented in publications such as Expression of Emotion, a collection showcasing works by Iranian women artists published in 1994 and 1996.
