Farhad Ahrarnia (b. 1971, Shiraz, Iran) completed his studies in Experimental Cinema and Film Theory at the Northern Media School, Sheffield Hallam University, England, in 1992. He currently lives and works between Shiraz and Sheffield.

Ahrarnia began his exhibition practice in the United Kingdom. Among his early solo presentations was Stitched at Leighton House Museum, London, organised in collaboration with Rose Issa Projects in 2008. Prior to this, his work was presented at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007. He later returned to Venice in 2015 as part of the Iranian Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale. Since then, his work has been exhibited internationally, including in Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, and Beirut.

In his artistic practice, Ahrarnia draws on diverse visual and intellectual traditions, including the Saqqakhaneh movement, Russian Constructivism, and Surrealism. His work integrates traditional craft techniques—such as embroidery, engraving, and marquetry—with contemporary media including digital photography and collage. Through this synthesis, he examines the intersection of cultural memory, material tradition, and modern visual language.

Ahrarnia’s works are held in major public collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), California; the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth; and the British Museum, London.