Saya Behnam | paintings

Round Compositions

Please click on each image for more information.

Interlaced Life

Different botanical and minerals together, 24 K gold leaf, with dried saffron threads, added, sealed on raw cotton primed with gum arabic and alum.
Size: 48 inches in diameter

Nature Round Composition

Circles, nature's delicate patterns, and the free flow dance of roots, flowers branches in abstract format are my intention and inspiration in this piece. The circle is a shape of unity, with no beginning and no end. All come to one point. The patterns can be perceived as new cell growth or decay (both beautiful). The power is from the center toward out.
Colors are handmade minerals from mud pigments or Suihi-Enogu, a Nihonga paint containing fine particles derived from natural mud or made by dyeing Gofun or white clay. It spreads well and is characterized by the matte texture it produces. The hexagon patterns are hand-cut paper that is pasted on the canvas. Work started in 2019 and was modified and completed this year.

Size: 46 inches in diamter (Bevel shape)

Anahita

Anahita is the ancient Persian goddess of fertility, water, health and healing, and wisdom.
Medium:
Natural minerals, mica, mud pigments on canvas
Size: 30 inches in diameter

The whole piece supports Anahita, the goddess of water and fertility, in her fight with darkness and demons.
Zahhāk or Zahāk (Persian: ضحّاک), also known as Zahhak the Snake Shoulder (Persian: ضحاک ماردوش,, is an evil figure in Persian mythology, Persian folklore as Azhi Dahāka (Persian: اژی دهاک).
He is considered the son of Ahriman, (devil). Two snakes on his shoulder needed to be fed daily with two young fresh brains to survive. The Persian rugs and the fantasy heaven very much influence my piece.
The light prevails, and the whole work supports joy and the sun.