Ghazaleh Akhavan Zanjani, Born in 1953, Tehran. MA in Philosophy & History – Tehran University. She started her schooling at Soheil Institute (Italian School) and graduated from high school in the field of literature. On several occasions she received the first prize in local and national pen-drawing contests. In 1972 she passed Tehran University’s Faculty of Fine Arts’ entrance examination, however, since she was fond of philosophy and history she completed her studies in these fields. Nevertheless, she audited classes at the Faculty of Fine Arts to pursue her interests, and during this period she was responsible for the drawings and programming of the Children’s programs on national television. At this point painting became the most important activity in her life; rather a kind of social activity. Having studied different schools of painting and making use of various techniques in her paintings, especially acrylic and water color for eight years she dedicated all her time to paintings.For six years she worked on the traditional Iranian drawing and needlework, the result of which is a complete set of needlework in her possession. Later she started her work in water color painting and at the same time spent five years on Chinese painting and received her diploma in Chinese painting. Presently Ghazaleh Akhavan: teaches watercolor, acrylic, crayon / teaches Chinese painting / designs front page covers / is the director of Ghazal Drawing & Painting Art Institute / is a member of the Organization for the Development of Fine Arts in Tehran / has put up more than 80 individual and group exhibitions locally and internationally.