Aziz Anzabi

Water, Life, War:
This painting by Anzabi embodies the current and future conflicts regarding war for water. Anzabi emphasises the importance of the issue through using the ghahve khane ; a traditional Iranian style to illustrate how conflict has always been present throughout history about resources ,it would be assumed that by now people would be civilised and be able to work together. However, Aziz Anzabi implies that the future conflict about water is a cause of human selfishness, abuse to the environment causing global warming .In addition surrounding the painting there are signs of drought highlighted by the dry desert on the right side of the painting followed by a ship stuck in sand on the other side of the a painting .At the bottom of the painting the dead fish symbolises the extinction of animals and the effect of drought. Almost comically, Anzabi tells the narrative that flamingos can no longer hunt for their own fish and have to eat readily caught fish by humans due to the lack of naturally produced fish in the sea. Significantly the hourglass in the middle is filled with water the opposite of sand to highlight that time to change is running out as well as water for humans. Despite the war, a tiny plant has sprouted in need of the drop of water; Anzabi clearly suggests there is still hope if we change and try to help the environment. Throughout the painting the colour blue is used to act as a reminder of the theme water and how it interlinks with conflict.
Review by : Asra Y

Oil and peeling paper on canvas
102cm x 66cm