Falling Angels I 1993

Aydin Aghdashloo made this intriguing painting, *Falling Angels I*, at an undetermined date, using a mix of media. The palette here is muted, almost melancholic, but then there’s this burst of vibrant colour and detail right where the eyes should be. It feels like a collision of different worlds, or maybe different states of mind, laid bare for us. Looking closely, you can see how the texture of the skin is built up with layers of thin, washy paint, giving it a translucent quality. This contrasts sharply with the opaque gold and intricate miniature painting that obscures the eyes. That torn paper element, is it a memory? A dream? Some other kind of ghostly intrusion? The tension between these elements is palpable. I am reminded of Gerhard Richter's blurred realism and how he also made paintings based on photographs, that embraced ambiguity. Ultimately, it’s this unresolved quality that makes *Falling Angels I* so compelling. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always provide answers, but invites us to ask questions and consider new perspectives.