Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar’s ‘Living Paintings’ Call For Change In The Art Industry’s Footprint
The painter’s new body of work, in harmony with nature, depicts unity, humanity, and the collective goal of a planet-conscious future
Iranian-French painter Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar is the latest artist to complete a residency at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. During his stay at the resort’s Fari Art Atelier, the artist envisioned Life Energy, his newest body of miniature, vibrant ‘living paintings’ – paintings that challenge societal norms, exploring the very important, and quite urgent, question: How can the art community strive towards a more eco-friendly future?
“This new series focuses on enhancing the connection with the self, mind, body and soul, and bringing our energies, consciousness and life perspectives together as one – a true step towards a necessary human evolution, and a shared core value between Patina’s ideology and the philosophy behind my own creative practice,” says Sassan, whose work has gone through a complete creative transformation over the past few years. The artist marries his mastery with sustainability and meditation, in search of a deeper connection with nature, energy and human evolution.
Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar at Patina Maldives’ Fari Art Atelier
While Sassan’s work has long explored human energies and evolution, and inspired psychological insight, this time the preservation of the planet has become one of his primary motivations; he now predominantly utilises natural pigments sourced from minerals, wood, roots, flowers, rocks and soil, while the wood and linen used for his frames are sustainably sourced and naturally treated.
The artist is on a mission to prove that we can, in fact, adopt an approach that doesn’t damage the environment, without the compromise of creativity.
Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar. Heart and Nature’s walk in Spring. From the Life Energy series. Natural pigment, ground washed-out shell and coral on linen. 20cmx20cm
An homage to nature, Sassan’s residency was centred purely around sustainable art. The 20x20cm Life Energy miniature paintings are a nod to old masters’ traditional use of natural pigments; ground washed-out shells and corals handpicked from around the island have been used to bring the paintings to life. “Life energy is the secret behind human health,” the artist explains.
“Only by feeling the energy are we able to understand the connection between our mind, body and the importance of living in harmony with nature. When I paint using only natural and sustainably sourced material from our planet, my soul feels truly alive and connected.”
Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar meditating in Amarta by James Turrell
Life Energy marks the third major chapter of Pathways, an event series at Patina Maldives designed to stimulate enduring personal transformations, introduce new life habits, and inspire creativity, growth, rest and connection in guests’ lives.
The series debuted last year with Experience as Healing, an event bringing together wellness, ancient spiritual practices and the frontier of biohacking to inspire guests; and Cosmopolitan Ocean, an immersive festival and collaboration with West Coast fashion label STAMPD that redefined the ocean as a cross-cultural nexus for human connection.
Detail of Light Energy by Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar
As Life Energy travels back to its origins at Patina Maldives in July, a select panel of key speakers and leaders from the contemporary art and sustainable development worlds will unite to open an exclusive exhibition and art sale – with 50 per cent of the proceeds donated to a local marine conservation NGO to fund research on how better to protect reefs and expand coral restoration efforts – a true testament to purposeful art.
The event will also include the unveiling of a large-scale, site-specific painting, created behind closed doors in Sassan’s Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat atelier, as the latest addition to Patina Maldives’ permanent art collection – joining the likes of James Turrell, Jose Dávila, Cassio Vasconcellos, Hongjie Yang, Hiroko Takeda, and FAHR 021.3.
Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar at Patina Maldives
The ongoing series will be showcased at exclusive, private gatherings in Doha and London over the coming months, culminating in an exhibition and art sale at Patina Maldives in July – with sales proceeds donated to funding local marine conservation.
“As beings living in a modern yet destructive world, we cannot hope to create a sustainable culture for the next generation without a shift in our approach,” Sassan urges. “Without this necessary change, we continue to destabilise the planetary system we rely on as human beings. The damage to our blue home mirrors that are in our societies. As a creative human being, it is my duty today to push forth via my work the understanding that humanity, nature, and progress should, and can, coexist together.”
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Images courtesy of the artist and Patina Maldives, Fari Islands