Untitled 1989

Mostafa Dashti created this untitled watercolor on paper with delicate washes of pigment. What I find so compelling is the way the artist approaches his subject matter, this scene of an old deserted vehicle in the desert, with a light hand, so gently. I imagine him outside with his materials, squinting in the sunlight, layering pale shades of blue, brown, and peach on top of each other, letting the image emerge slowly. The paper probably buckled a bit while he worked, giving it a wonderful texture. He’s showing us the effects of time and abandonment, the wreckage of our dreams, but also the enduring beauty of the natural world. It makes me think about the art of Giorgio Morandi, another artist drawn to quiet, contemplative subjects. There’s a real tenderness to the painting, as if he wants us to pause and reflect on the simple beauty of this ordinary scene.