Untitled 1989

This watercolor painting was created by Mostafa Dashti, an Iranian artist born in 1960. It depicts a seemingly desolate landscape inhabited by wild dogs. In the Iranian cultural context, dogs are traditionally viewed as unclean and are often associated with the wild or the periphery of society. Dashti's choice to focus on these animals in such an open setting may serve as a commentary on social exclusion. Perhaps it’s even a reflection on those living on the margins during a time of rapid social and political change in Iran. The open landscape itself, rendered in soft washes of color, suggests a sense of isolation. To understand this artwork more fully, one could research the changing role of animals in Iranian society. Analysis of the symbolism of dogs in Persian literature and folk traditions will also give further context. Ultimately, the meaning of this work is contingent on understanding the social and cultural forces at play in Iran during Dashti's lifetime.