ABOUT ME
I’m Ali Rastroo, an Iranian visual artist born in 1998 in Yasuj, Iran. My practice spans painting, conceptual cartoons, illustration, animation, and music. I currently work as a freelance artist, creating works that seek to connect deeply with audiences through both emotional resonance and conceptual strength.
Education
M.A. in Painting, Art University of Isfahan
B.A. in Painting, Art and Architecture University of Yazd
Affiliations
Member of Cartooning for Peace
Member of Cartoon Movement
My artistic journey began at the age of eight, when I enrolled in private painting classes that ignited and nurtured my passion for art. This early start eventually led me to pursue academic studies in painting.
Around the age of 19 or 20, during my university years, I began to receive recognition in international competitions and biennials. These experiences were pivotal in shaping my artistic identity and led me to develop a deep interest in conceptual art and surrealism.
My creative approach blends the storytelling power of conceptual cartoons with the expressive techniques of painting. Inspired by the great surrealists, I aim to craft artworks that are not only visually engaging but also intellectually and emotionally layered. Through my art, I try to give form to my inner world—transforming personal thoughts, questions, and feelings into visual narratives that speak to others.
Art, to me, is life itself. It is the most powerful language I know to express what lies within. I hope you find meaning, emotion, and connection in my work.
To date, I’ve received more than 40 national and international honors—some of which are highlighted below.
Honors and Exhibitions
Grand Award of 5th Mugla International Cartoon Contest / Mugla / Turkey / 2024
Grand prize of the 9th international cartoon contest / Kyrenia / Cyprus / 2020
Grand Award of the 14th International Tourism Cartoon Competition / Jordan – Turkey / 2023
Grand Award of 4th Mugla International Cartoon Contest / Mugla / Turkey / 2023
The Second Award of the 12th International Tourism Cartoon Competition / Turkey /2021
The Third Award of the 4th International Cartoon Competition of Denizli Metropolitan Municipality / Turkey /2024
The Special Honor Diploma Of The 16th International Cartoon Contest HumoDEVA / Romania / 2023
The Achievement Award of The 4th International Caricature Competition Sinoplu Diogene / Turkey / 2025
Special jury award of the 1st Kartal Municipality Covid-19 cartoon competition / Turkey / 2020
Special award of Iranian artists “We defeat Coronavirus” international cartoon contest / Iran / 2020
Honorable Mentions of the 32nd Sicaco International Cartoon Contest / Korea / 2023
Honorable Mentions of the 23rd Porto Cartoon World Festival / Portugal / 2021
Honorable Mentions of the 27th Calcomix Festival / Colombia / 2020
Honor diploma of the 20th Antiwar Cartoon International Contest of Kragujevac / Serbia / 2019
Special prize of the Third International Cartoon Contest – CoronaVirus / Bojnourd / Iran / 2020
Selected to create a mural painting in Jaszbereny / Hungary / 2019
Solo exhibition (GOB) in Szikra Galleria / Jaszbereny / Hungary / 2019
Nomination for Award of International Satyrykon Cartoon Contest Legnica / Poland/ 2025
Jury Member of the International Cartoon Competition with “Earthquake” Theme / Turkey / 2023
First Prize of National Cartoon and Caricature Festival, Guilan Province Bar Association / Iran / 2025
One of the top 10 works of the International Humanity Cartoon Competition/ United Kingdom / 2024
Selected for the International Graphic Comics Exhibition entitled ‘The Giving Tree’ in Denver, Colorado / United States / 2024
Selected for the Catalog Of 28th Edition Of The International Competition Fax For Peace / Italy / 2024
Selected for The 9th International Humor & Satire Award “Novello Prize” / Italy / 2024
SELECTED FOR THE 20TH LIMEIRA INTERNATIONAL HUMOR SALON / Brazil / 2024
Selected for the IX Bienal de Humor Luiz d’Oliveira Guimarães Espinhal / Penela / Portugal/ 2024
Selected for the 31st International Exhibition Of Arts Of Humor Alcala/ Spain / 2024
Selected for the Exhibition of the 39th Aydın Doğan International Cartoon Competition / Turkey / 2023
Selected in the 8th “Red Man” International Humour Art Biennial / China / 2023
Selected for the exhibition of the International Exhibition Of Graphic Humor LEA / Greece / 2024
Selected in the catalog of the 62nd International Cartoon Festival Knokke-Heist / Belgium / 2023
Selected in the catalog and exhibition of Faraone- International Cartoon Contest “Safety at work” / Italy / 2023
Selected in the 16th George Van Remdonk International Cartoon Competition “SOURCE”, organized in / Boechout / Belgium / 2023
Selected in the SYMPOSIUM AND EXHIBITION OF SHĀHNĀMEH IN THE INTERNATIONAL CULTURE AND ART / Istanbul / Turkey 2023
Selected in the catalog and exhibition of the international Euro-kartoenale competition / Belgium / 2023
Selected for the 24th edition of the Euro-kartoenale Kruishoutem / Belgium / 2022
Selected for the 23rd edition of the Euro-kartoenale Kruishoutem / Belgium / 2021
Selected for the Exhibition of the 38th Aydın Doğan International Cartoon Competition / Turkey / 2021
Selected for the catalog and exhibition of Faraone- International Cartoon Contest “Safety at work” / Italy / 2023
First Winner Of Toons Mag Monthly Challenge With Public Votes – CARTOON CHALLENGE, APRIL / Cartoonmag / 2020
Selected for the 24th Biennial of Humour and Satire in Art / Gabrovo / Bulgaria / 2019
Selected for the 15th Caratinga International Humor Salon / Brazil / 2019
Selected for the 22nd edition of the Euro-kartoenale Kruishoutem / Belgium / 2019
Selected for The First International cartoonists Festival Ferizaj / Kosovo / 2019
Selected for 4th Jokalfestival students of Painting in Tehran University / Iran / 2019
Publication of 9 Works in the Catalogue 19th Issue of Union of World Cartoonists (UWC)
Publication of 5 Works in the Catalogue 9th Issue of Union of World Cartoonists (UWC)
Publication of 8 Works in the Catalogue 6th Issue of Union of World Cartoonists (UWC)
Publication of 5 Works in the HUMORISTAS GRÁFICOS CONVOCATORIA INTERNACIONAL
CALICOMIX / Colombia / 20195th works in the magazine of calicomix / Clombia / 2019
Finalist of 1st Welt Heimat International Cartoon Contest / Germany / 2018
Finalist of International Tourism Cartoon Competition / Turkey / 2018
Finalist of A Colorful Human World International Cartoon Contest / Norway / 2018
Showing works in different countries, such as:
Belgium / Italy / India / Croatia / Bulgaria / Serbia / Brazil / Iran / Turkey / Montenegro / Kosovo / Philippines / Norway / Japan / South Korea / Iraq / Cyprus / Jordan / United States / United Kingdom / Canada / Romania / Poland ….