Opening on 8 March 2025 at Lin Art Projects, The Cycles, a riveting solo exhibition by Iranian-Dutch artist Sara Khosrovani promises to enliven Taipei’s art scene with its vibrant storytelling and fresh, imaginative perspectives. This deeply evocative collection of narrative paintings delves into the eternal rhythms of life, weaving stories of existence, nature, and transformation into captivating and whimsical visual tapestries.

Khosrovani, celebrated for her distinctive ability to tell stories through her art, takes viewers on a journey across canvases rich with meaning. Her narrative approach invites the audience to engage with universal themes—birth, growth, success, failure, love and renewal—all reflected in the rhythms of the natural world and the human experience.

Each painting is more than an image; it is an unfolding story, a portal that invites the viewer to step inside and journey through the interconnected moments that define life. In “The Inevitable Game”, we are presented with a sweeping landscape that mimics a man’s life journey similar to a game of Snakes and Ladders. A formally dressed man is hatched out of an egg fully-dressed, journeys through different stages of life depicted as interconnected scenes on canvas. Each scene/stage is defined by surrealist symbols as well as rich western and oriental patterns that reflect the artist’s own mixed cultural heritage and experience. Khosrovani skillfully blends all these like a symphonic poem, creating a work of art that is impactful in its scale and colour, and engaging in its narrative details.

Central to the exhibition is the artist’s exploration of the life cycle. Through a masterful interplay of colour, texture, and form, she draws parallels between nature’s perpetual cycles and the milestones of human life. Her work reflects an almost meditative contemplation of how beginnings and endings flow into each other, emphasizing life’s transient yet eternal nature. In doing so, Khosrovani creates a dynamic dialogue between the micro and macro aspects of existence.

“Choices,” “Desire,” and “Flirtation” are three whimsical paintings from the same series, capturing the universal journey of love’s pursuit with charm and playful elegance. The paintings’ overall colours symbolise different seasons, while three charming birds play out their love drama in front of a worm that is more a curious onlooker than prey. The paintings are framed like a stage, with a backgroud of forest that is deep yet inviting. Typical of Khosrovani’s art, the intricate patterns create a dynamic rhythm and flow within the painting. While the main characters perform their parts, the forests in the background also seem full of life. The colour combination and the artist’s sense of humour allow her paintings to exude wamrth and joy, depicting the nature of life with unwavering optimism and contentedness.

Khosrovani’s narrative paintings are not static; they demand participation. The viewer is compelled to embark on an intimate journey, piecing together the unfolding story within each brushstroke. Her works evoke a sense of timelessness, reminding us of the shared experiences that bind humanity and the natural world. “The Cycles” promises to be more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to reflect on the interconnectedness of life. Through her evocative storytelling on canvas, Sara Khosrovani transforms the gallery space into a realm of wonder, contemplation, and renewal.

The exhibition will run through 16 March 2025, at Lin Art Projects in Taipei (No. 25 Huangxi Street, Shilin District, Taipei). Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this remarkable collection and explore the timeless stories that unfold in the cycles of life.

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By Jessica Wang Simula
Manager of ART-at-TAC Taipei, a non-profit visual art programme making art accessible to wider audiences, and supporting emerging artists with exhibition opportunities.