[no title] 1992

Curator: Before us is a work by Shirazeh Houshiary, held in the Tate Collections. Note the square format, roughly 60 centimeters in both dimensions. Editor: It’s immediately striking how meditative the piece feels; the color is so rich, like gazing into deep water. Curator: The artist is known for her exploration of breath and the unseen. She often uses minuscule marks to create a sense of pulsating energy. This is apparent in the concentric circles and what seems to be a floral shape at the very center. Editor: It reminds me of mandalas and spiritual art traditions where geometry serves to represent the cosmos. Houshiary often blends Eastern and Western philosophies. Curator: Indeed. She engages with ideas of emptiness and presence, using subtle gradations of tone to create a sense of depth and movement. Editor: Looking at it again, the texture almost seems to dissolve before your eyes, like a whisper. It evokes a sense of ephemerality. Curator: A profound piece that challenges our perception of form and space, reminding us of the unseen forces that shape our world. Editor: Absolutely. It’s an image that resonates long after you turn away, encouraging introspection.