Echoes of My Father's Gold

This oil painting is a self-portrait that reflects my effort to reconnect with my Persian and Zoroastrian heritage. The gold necklace, an ancient Zoroastrian symbol, is the main focus of the piece and represents my attempt to reclaim a part of my identity that once felt distant. I expressed emotions of sorrow and calmness through my closed eyes and downward gaze, conveying reflection and the fear of losing connection with my culture and the people tied to it. In the background, faint dark blue Farsi text overlays a black surface, containing phrases that translate to sentiments like “I don’t want to lose you” and “You are very important to me.” These words mirror my internal dialogue and emotional attachment to my cultural identity. I experimented with blending and texture in oil paint, using varnish to create a glossy contrast that draws attention to the jewelry and the subtle text behind it.