The quality of our relationship with ecological association

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I created numerous imaginative variations on familiar abstract forms, simplifying the complexity of nature. I channelled my inner chaos exploring the far reaches of my memory, extracting organic shapes. All the abstract organic forms I depicted in my paintings derive their basic shapes and patterns from natural objects that can be found throughout muscles, roots, nervous system, cellular organelles, leaves, trees, germinated seeds, and an embryo.
 

I manipulated interaction between the forms by altering their size, direction, and the amount of force that they put on each other maintaining a dynamic balance between them. The result of this progressive adjustment provided me an opportunity to add vibrant colors into the subject's atmosphere.
 

The concept of dynamic equilibrium in nature and the number of changes that mingle within a community of organisms has a significant impact on my vision. Over the last few years this notion has been nurturing my visualisation through creating art. As a result, those imaginary figures in my recent paintings communicate the feeling of an ecosystem synchronising with the ecological diversity that remains relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession. 

Organisms organize themselves through the nature of interaction, bound together by the network of influences, so they can impact each other and their environment, resulting in a balanced or sometimes destructive ecosystem. This relationship is symbiotic. In any ecosystem the symbiotic relationship has been shaped based on the principles of cause and effect, or action and reaction. For instance, adjustment, adaptation, resistance, and intervention are the characteristic signatures of natural relationships. These sequences of harmonious, adversarial, neutral, and synergistic behaviours turn the ever-evolving wheel of a natural system in order to return to equilibrium. 

In addition to all those natural realities, I refer to sunlight as a key factor. I have always been in awe of how sunlight is such an important element in an ecosystem. In my paintings, I refer to light not only as a means of defining contours of figures, but as a means of making units interact with each other. Sunlight determines brightness and darkness, casts shadow, highlights, and demonstrates tone, texture, mood, and atmosphere in nature. The result is a perfect harmony and unity among all components. The amount of change in natural light and its direction during a day is associated with the alteration of behaviour, sensation, and interaction between organisms. 

I followed the same function of sunlight to create a coherent transition and movement between the figures as well as bringing solidarity to the painting’s atmosphere. I sprinkle luminant tones of colors over the areas around the main figures to put an emphasis on their interactions as well as making them stand out against the background and subordinate components. Through this method, I promote eye movement in the composition inviting the viewer’s eye to bounce around the painting. 

I believe our existence has woven from close relationship between us and ecological association and our survival depends on their propensity of this relationship. My curiosity and concerns about the quality of this relationship encouraged me to complete this series of paintings. I invite audiences to experience the same interaction I had with environment around me through visiting the Symbiosis series.

Soroush Dabiri