Forough Yavari, Serenity (PEOPLE & PORTRAIT)

This portrait from the Salvation series celebrates the beauty and strength of black women, drawing inspiration from Langston Hughes' poetry, and infused with the themes of dance and the blues, echoing their experiences. I crafted the background and clothing using painted canvas, gold leaf, and paper, symbolizing freedom and movement. The golden circle signifies the woman's power and resilience, paying homage to the transformative power of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.Ellie is my subject here, wearing an outfit I created from wrapping paper. As she danced to music in the studio, I captured her genuine emotions and expression, avoiding a staged approach. With painted backdrops and the enchanting golden hues, the portrait conveys the profound essence of her being.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.