Hossein Ali Zabehi, born in Tehran in 1945, embarked on his artistic journey after completing his secondary education at the Boys' Academy of Fine Arts. He pursued further studies in painting in France, earning his master's degree from the School of Fine Arts in Paris in 1975. Upon returning to Iran, Zabehi began his career as a lecturer at the Boys' Fine Arts Academy and High School. However, it wasn't until 1988 that he fully committed to teaching painting, serving as a professor first at Tehran University of Art and later at the Faculty of Art and Architecture of Azad University.
Zabehi's distinctive style draws inspiration from various modernist painting movements, particularly expressionism and Fauvism. This approach began to emerge in his work during the early 1980s, gradually evolving into his signature style characterized by satirical and grotesque imagery. His paintings often feature thick, dark colors contrasted with bold splashes of brightness. Typically focusing on single faces and still life compositions, Zabehi's style underwent minor changes over the ensuing decades.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Zabehi remained active in the art scene, regularly exhibiting his work in both solo and group exhibitions, showcasing his unique artistic vision to audiences worldwide.