Sanctums of Decision is a body of intricately detailed portrayals of Iran’s past whilst fusing contemporary history. Iranian artist, Medhi Farhadian explores extravagant interior spaces and gardens then translates them into phantasmagorical scenes featuring people and animals engaged in ambiguous acts. Certain artwork are visually left undone which are meant give a sense of uncertainty or left for the viewer to interpret what will happen.
Farhadian’s style unites realistic, expressive and fictional narratives which help relay his personal subject matters to the public. Drawing from the lushness of nineteenth-century European painting traditions and imbuing them with local specificity, ethereal qualities, and distinctly Iranian elements, these paintings reinvigorate representational art while simultaneously ushering beauty back into contemporary painting.