Untitled 2008

This untitled painting was made by Mostafa Dashti, using what looks like a range of blacks, greys, and maybe even a hint of blue, all layered to create something that feels like a landscape or a dreamscape. What strikes me is the texture. In some areas, the paint is so thick it's almost sculptural, like it's been built up over time, while in others, it’s smooth and almost transparent. Look at the way the light catches on those rough patches, those ridges and valleys. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the canvas. There's one spot, right in the middle, where the grey is especially luminous. It reminds me of fog rolling in. It’s these little details, these subtle shifts in tone and texture, that give the painting its depth and emotional resonance. This piece brings to mind the atmospheric works of Gerhard Richter, another artist who understood the power of abstraction to evoke feeling. It’s about suggestion, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the work.