The dream of Judah (son of Jacob) 

Curator: This striking mixed media piece is titled "The dream of Judah (son of Jacob)" by Anima Ehtiat. What is your first reaction to it? Editor: A sort of quiet intensity. The rough texture is captivating, like looking at something weathered and raw. You can really feel the process in the application of acrylic paint, the textile peeking through... there's almost a street art vibe. Curator: Absolutely. The textile element nods to the ready-made and speaks of art not as a rarified experience but something built from everyday components. In terms of symbolism, the blindfold immediately grabs my attention, and coupled with the title... I'm thinking of spiritual blindness, seeking enlightenment in the dark. Editor: I’m immediately curious about the black paint that seems almost haphazardly applied. It contrasts the brighter areas, especially that small, enigmatic fish. Is that fish significant? And that thick band; is it just paint, or some found material integrated? Curator: The red fish swims within an interesting symbolic universe. Fish are common religious symbols of abundance, faith and also connected with early Christian identity. With a reference to a "dream," that symbolism seems pointed. Editor: Dreams were of crucial importance and conveyed divine communication, or at least deeper truths. So that figure’s vision being obscured in a dream... Is it questioning tradition or received wisdom? The material roughness certainly hints at a deconstruction of something. I like how it merges personal story, like someone using their own available scraps, with cultural resonance. Curator: A powerful intersection of material expression and symbolic density, inviting viewers to unravel the layered meanings embedded within this intriguing figure. Editor: Indeed. It shows how basic stuff like fabric and paint can tackle pretty deep cultural questions when put together thoughtfully. I want to examine the threads a little closer now.