Hossein was born in Iran in 1949 and emigrated to Australia in 1973. He has exhibited extensively in Australia and overseas, including Poland, Japan and Germany. An Art & Australia monograph was published on his work in 1996, an important career survey was held at the Art Gallery of SA in 2001, followed by a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney in 2002. This year he was included in the Adelaide Biennale of Australian Art. His work can be found in most major public art collections across Australia, including all state collections.
Hossein is represented by Grantpirie in Sydney and by Paul Greenaway Art Gallery in Adelaide.