Mehdi Chitsazha (b. 1973) is an Iranian artist whose work explores themes of urban life and modernity, often viewed through the perspective of childhood. He holds a BA in Painting from Shahed University and an MA in Art Research from Tehran University of Art. Chitsazha has exhibited extensively in Iran, with additional international presentations including the National Museum of Fine Art in Kyrgyzstan (2003) and the Modern Art Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2022). Over the past two decades, Chitsazha has also published articles and created documentary films.
Initially drawn to literature and cinema, Chitsazha joined the Young Cinema Society during high school. It was only later, influenced by a teacher with a distinctive approach, that he pursued his interest in painting. During his military service, he began experimenting with readily available materials such as newspapers and cotton sacks, which later inspired his animated film "Ghezel-Ala" (Rainbow Trout).
His paintings often depict children and stray dogs wandering through the alleys and winding streets of the city. Using oil paint, these paintings capture the complexities of architectural and social life in the contemporary world through a simple but richly detailed approach that delicately balances social observation with personal imagination.