Bed no. 2

Through her figurative wall hangings, Zahra Imani depicts intimate exchanges between women and fleeting moments of private encounters. These small moments are presented on a large scale like the events depicted in grand history paintings. The artist is inspired by Persian miniature and European Renaissance painting traditions, which she then reinterprets in a highly individual way using an appliqué technique.

In her works, Imani uses a wide range of fabrics purchased from local markets designed for everyday use. These fabrics are ubiquitous in Iranian houses, and are used for curtains, cushions and furnishings or sewn into dresses, garments and outerwear. This choice of medium mirrors the accessible and everyday scenes depicted in her wall hangings. The tender, uneven stitches and imprecise folds of the fabric acknowledge the labour and personal endeavour devoted to making the artworks. The unfinished edges also suggest the possibility of a quick unravelling with a simple pull of a thread; these are not artworks designed to last for eternity. As a result, the works embody two durations: their slow creation and ephemeral life.

Exhibited in 'The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT9) | 24 Nov 2018 – 28 Apr 2019