Painting Series

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“What is not to be found is my desire” series is a response to the verse: “I’m weary of beast and devil, a man is my desire.” They said, “It is not to be found, we too have searched.” He answered, “What is not to be found is my desire.”

In this body of work, further abstraction of the script and the exploration of the shapes and the negative spaces defined by the lines of the text emphasize her search for the unknown. These paintings construct a map; a map of her quest for “what cannot be found.”

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Mystic Path I”, Acrylic on Fabric, 1’x2′, 2007, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Mystic Path II”, Acrylic on Fabric, 1’x2′, 2007

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Mystic Path III”, cut out Fabric, 1’x2′, 2007

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Hidden: Map I”, Acrylic on fabric, 2’x 4’, 2007, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Hidden: Map III”, Acrylic on canvas, 2’x 4’, 2008, collection of Canada Council Art Bank

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Hidden: Map IV”, Acrylic on canvas, 2’x 4’, 2008

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Journey II”, Acrylic on canvas, 4’x4’, 2008, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Seeking II”, mixed media on canvas, 18”x 48”, 2008, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Seeking III”, Acrylic on fabric, 18”x 48”, 2008, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“To dance so in the midst of the arena is my desire”, acrylic on canvas, 4’x4’,2008

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Poetic Composition III”, Acrylic on Canvas, 2’x2’, 2003, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila EsfahaniPoetic Composition #3”, mixed media on Canvas, 2’x2’, 2003, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Alchemist of My Soul I”, Acrylic on Canvas, 4’x4.5, 2006, private collection

 

Photo of the Desire series by artist Soheila Esfahani“Oh Lovers VI”, Acrylic on Canvas, 20”x20”, 2011

 

 

In the “Reed Flute” series of paintings, Soheila explores the mystical concept of longing for the beloved through the meaning of the verses of the poem “Reed Flute’s Song” by Rumi. Through the reed flute’s music and within each note of the reed flute, lies a nostalgic need to return to its source, the reed bed. Each verse of the poem conveys the longing to reunite with the divine source by employing metaphors which explore the pain of separation and promise of reunion.

soheila_reed-flute_001“Reed Flute I”, Acrylic on canvas, 3’x3’, 2005, private collection

 

soheila_reed-flute_002“Reed Flute III”, Acrylic on canvas, 3’x3’, 2005, private collection

 

soheila_reed-flute_003“Reed Bed I”, Oil on canvas, 3’x3’, 2005, private collection

 

soheila_reed-flute_004“Reed Bed II”, Oil on canvas, 3’x3’, 2006

 

soheila_reed-flute_005“Longing I”, Acrylic on Canvas 4’x4′, 2005, private collection

 

soheila_reed-flute_006 “Longing I”, detail, Acrylic on Canvas 4’x4′, 2005, private collection

 

soheila_reed-flute_007“Hear the Love Fire Tangled”, Acrylic on Canvas, 17” x 23”, 2008, private collection

 

soheila_reed-flute_008“within the Notes I”, Acrylic on canvas, 8”x10”, 2008, Collection of Accelerator Centre

 

soheila_reed-flute_009“within the Notes II”, Acrylic on canvas, 8”x10”, 2008, Collection of Accelerator Centre

 

soheila_reed-flute_010“within the Notes III”, Acrylic on canvas, 8”x10”, 2008, Collection of Accelerator Centre

 

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