Untitled 

Editor: This mixed-media piece is an untitled work by Mahmoud Farshchian. The figures seem to float in this abstract expressionist space, swirling with organic forms. What is your reading of this fantastical composition? Curator: For me, this piece speaks to the enduring power of mythology within visual culture. Considering the artist’s Iranian background, we can read this through the lens of Persian miniature painting traditions interwoven with broader Islamic art aesthetics. Editor: Could you expand on that? Curator: Of course. Notice the intricate detail, the vibrant, almost jewel-like colours. These are hallmarks of Persian miniatures, often used to illustrate epic poems and narratives. I wonder, what stories might be embedded within this work? How does the swirling composition, reminiscent of ecstatic Sufi whirling dervishes, point towards spiritual and political resistance, considering the tumultuous history of Iran? Editor: It is really captivating. I like your highlighting of resistance and resilience! The piece, seemingly gentle, becomes charged with new interpretations related to politics and identity. Thank you. Curator: Absolutely, thinking about artworks like this encourages a critical understanding of whose stories get told and how artistic expression can serve as a powerful form of cultural and political dialogue. It underscores art’s function as a historical witness.