Master calligrapher and artist Mohamed Ehsai was born in Qazvin, Iran in 1939, where he lives today. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tehran University in 1971. where he later became a calligraphy instructor.

Ehsai presides over several art institutions across Iran, teaches calligraphy at several universities in Tehran, and is now one of the few artist-calligraphers who continues to be commissioned by private patrons from across the Islamic world. His artwork includes calligraphic paintings, calligraphic murals on architectural structures such as the Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (1988-1991), and other important architectural spaces in Tehran (Natural Museum of Iran and University of Tehran Academy of Theology). He is also a design consultant, and created the conference hall of the Ellahiat Faculty, Iran (1978).

Since his first solo shows at Tehran’s Seyhoun Gallery(1973),  Iran-American Society (1974) and Litho Gallery (1975), Ehsai has exhibited extensively in Iran and worldwide including his most recent travelling group shows “Word into Art” (Dubai, 2009 and the British Museum, London, 2006); “The Dance of Pen and Ink” (The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, 2007 and The State Museum of Oriental Art, Moscow, 2008); and “Inheritance”, Leighton House Museum, London (2000), and Cyrus Gallery in Paris in 1975. He also exhibits regularly at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.

He has received several awards, including the National Award (First Degree Medal) of Art and Culture, Iran (2005) and the French National Award at the International Painting Festival, Cagnes-Sur Mer, France (1974). Ehsai has also served as Editor for the Iran Education Books Organisation; is a Member of the Board of the Iranian Institute of Calligraphy, Iranian Calligraphers Society and Iranian Graphic Designers Society (IGDS); a member of the Iranian Academy of Art; and an art consultant to the Tehran Contemporary Art Museum.

His work is in several private collections around the world and numerous public collections, including the British Museum, London; the Farjam Collection, Dubai; the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Saadabad, Tehran.

Ehsai is currently producing a major monograph of his work.