DREAMING, HEALING

Iranian artist Ebrahim Barfarazi's first art show in India, at Delhi, portrays dreams as a window to the subconscious mind. He uses sleep not just as a metaphor for repose but to awaken human consciousness amidst global disorder.

- PRIYAMVADA RANA

A WOMAN in a breezy red frock leisurely lies on an opulent Persian carpet the hemline of her dress fluttering in a silent dance in the air. Her legs are tangled and her body bends in a lyrical posture as if imagining the most beautiful dream. Her face with eyes closed expresses a calm brought to life with thin glazes of contrasting colours. On another canvas in front of us, a child wearing a striped sweater, sleeps on the arm of a chair, holding onto a fluffy emerald green pillow embodying what sweet dreams of childhood may look like. These evocative paintings are from Iranian artist Ebrahim Barfarazi's first art show in India 'In The Land Of Dreams' being held in Delhi's Gallery Pristine Contemporary.

Featuring 18 oil paintings, it explores sleep as a physical and emotional state. "When one sleeps, one rests, one escapes, one finds peace, and one rejuvenates. In the quietude of rest, the body becomes a portrait of stillness and vulnerability, exuding a sense of safety, soundness, and security. Sleep transforms the human form into an expression of serenity closed eyes, softened features, and relaxed postures tell stories of release and trust," says Arjun Butani co-founder of Gallery Pristine Contemporary during our walk-through.

Human isolation