Ferdowsi's Dreams

‏ image is not an illustration of the Shahnameh, but a memory of it — as if it had drifted out of Ferdowsi’s dream.

‏Inspired by the Persian epic Shahnameh, this artwork reimagines the story of Zal and the Simurgh. Born with white hair, Zal was abandoned as an infant and later raised by the Simurgh, a mythical bird associated with wisdom, protection, and healing.

‏Rather than depicting the tale literally, the work transforms the myth into a dreamlike landscape of symbols and memories. The child, the bird, and the growing plant become part of a single living form, expressing themes of belonging, transformation, and care.

‏Through organic lines, faded textures, and symbolic imagery, the artwork seeks to reconnect an ancient Persian myth with a contemporary visual language.