ABOUT ME

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 / 2019
  • 5th 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 ….

Photo gallery

My interviews