Jazeh Tabatabai, originally known as Ali Tabatabai, was a multifaceted artist celebrated for his sculptures. He began writing at the age of 12 and was deeply engrossed in writing and painting during his teenage years, holding his first painting exhibition at just 19.
His artistic journey encompassed directing, painting, and sculpture from a young age. In 1954, he enrolled in the directing and theater program at university, staging the play "Sailor's Shirt." By 1960, Tabatabai completed his painting studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, concurrently establishing the Honar-e Jadid Gallery. His artworks, including paintings and sculptures, are housed in significant museums and collections such as the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Louvre Museum, and Metropolitan Museum.
Jazeh Tabatabai's primary artistic concern centered on a patriotic narrative across various art forms—painting, sculpture, poetry, and writing. His profound affection for Iranian culture permeated his creations, with figurative metal sculptures standing out as pivotal in his oeuvre. During a phase of his career, he transformed industrial machinery waste into figures that exuded a soulful presence despite their austere appearance.
Reflecting on his diverse artistic experiences, Jazeh Tabatabai remarked, "One day I am a writer, and the next a painter; I wake up and perceive the world differently each day, with an enduring flame inside me. It's enough to have perception; the form of expression will find its way."