"Overcoming obstacles - 08072026" Artwork

Born in Tehran, Iran, and based in Guilin, China, where he has lived and created since 2007, Totoo’s artistic journey is shaped by a dialogue between cultures, disciplines, and ways of seeing the world.

With a background in English Literature and a Master’s degree in the field, his creative approach has been deeply influenced by literature, philosophy, music, and the exploration of human experience.
His multilingual and multicultural background — working across Persian, English, and Mandarin — has allowed Totoo to engage with diverse artistic traditions and perspectives, enriching the way he approaches images, emotions, and visual storytelling.

His artistic foundation was established through early training in classical techniques under experienced masters, followed by decades of continuous exploration across traditional and contemporary forms of expression. His practice brings together charcoal, Chinese ink, watercolour, pastel, digital painting, and fine-art photography, creating a dialogue between heritage and innovation.

Through digital painting, Totoo transforms the tactile qualities of traditional media into contemporary compositions that explore abstraction, balance, light, and emotional resonance.
His photographic work, primarily focused on black-and-white fine-art photography, reflects a quieter and more contemplative dimension of his vision, where carefully composed images become meditations on people and animal portraiture, tabletop objects, landscape, atmosphere, and time.

Inspired by the dramatic landscapes of Guilin and by a lifelong engagement with artistic and philosophical traditions, Totoo’s art work is a continuous search for essence and meaning. Across both photography and painting, he seeks to create moments of harmony and reflection — works that invite viewers to slow down, reconnect, and experience beauty in a changing world.

Original physical works are retained in Totoo's private collection. For inquiries regarding the acquisition of original pieces, collectors may contact Saatchi Art Curatorial Services or Support.