Fariba Safai’s artwork is deeply intertwined with her life story, shaped by a dual existence that bridges cultural divides. Born in Tehran, Iran, she witnessed the upheaval of the Iranian Revolution, an experience that left an indelible mark on her worldview. Her eventual move to California brought a sense of sanctuary, where the striking natural environment inspired her creative pursuits and provided a stark contrast to her past.
Drawing on these formative experiences, Safai crafts paintings that tell a story of survival, identity, and transformation. Her art embodies the tension of living between two cultures, blending her Iranian heritage with perspectives formed in her new home. Armed with a design degree from San Francisco State University and a BFA in sculpture from California College of the Arts, she developed a versatile style that merges visual art, poetry, and performance to address social themes and spark dialogue.
Beyond her canvas, Safai is an advocate for social justice, lending her voice to causes that resonate with her personal journey. From performing at rallies for women’s rights to creating street murals in urban spaces, her art serves as a platform for dialogue, empowerment, and the celebration of resilience. Her commitment to activism is seamlessly integrated into her creative work, resulting in thought-provoking pieces.
Her art has traveled across the globe, from exhibits at the Swiss Art Fair in Zurich to artist residencies in France, and even large-scale murals in Greece. Works like The Remaining Ones and The Last Shell invite viewers to confront questions of identity and impermanence, creating a space for introspection about contemporary challenges.
Safai approaches her process with an openness to imperfection and unpredictability. Through layered textures and fragmented forms, her abstract figurations examine the complex interplay between strength and fragility. Her work reflects the ambiguity of life, drawing out deeper truths about the human experience.
Inferno of Dreams
This diptych, painted in oil on canvas and measuring 120 cm by 120 cm, captures the raw energy of contrast and transformation. Its bold palette of electric blue and searing orange creates a visual tension that feels both unsettling and captivating. Emerging from the storm of color is a creature with undefined, animal-like features, representing a state of flux and blurred identity.
The ambiguity of the creature—neither fully formed nor entirely abstract—underscores Safai’s interest in the fluidity of existence. The painting’s layered textures, built through scratches and shifts in pigment, convey a sense of movement and unpredictability. The vibrant colors interact dynamically: blue evokes introspection, while orange embodies a sense of urgency and rebellion.
Inferno of Dreams asks probing questions without offering easy answers. It invites the viewer to reflect on dreams as both sanctuaries and battlegrounds, places of escape that can also trap us in cycles of chaos.
Visage of Flame
Another of Safai’s oil paintings (60 cm by 50 cm) shifts focus to a more intimate subject. The monochromatic palette of reds and oranges evokes fire, passion, and raw emotion. The face at the center of the composition, rendered with simple black strokes, is haunting in its minimalism—two eyes, a mouth, and faint wisps of hair sketched with the most economical gestures.
The simplicity of Visage of Flame is its power. By stripping the figure of excessive detail, Safai opens the piece to interpretation, allowing each viewer to project their own feelings onto the work. The face could be a symbol of longing, anguish, or quiet strength, depending on the lens through which it is seen.
The vibrant red hues amplify the emotional intensity of the piece, creating a sense of immediacy that feels almost confrontational. Despite its starkness, there’s an undeniable warmth and humanity to the work, a reminder of the universality of human emotion.
Reflection
Safai’s Inferno of Dreams and Visage of Flame exemplify her ability to explore broad themes and intimate emotions with equal clarity. The larger diptych invites viewers into a swirling, chaotic world of contrasts, while the smaller canvas offers a stripped-down, meditative take on identity. Together, they highlight her skill in navigating different scales and tones while maintaining a cohesive voice.
Through her bold use of color and abstraction, Safai encourages us to delve into the layers of her work—and ourselves. Her art doesn’t aim to resolve life’s uncertainties but instead embraces them, challenging us to confront what lies beneath the surface. In doing so, Safai transforms her personal journey into a shared exploration of resilience and the human condition.
