Walking the Shores: Zahra Ebrahimi Behfar’s Artistic Journey
Introduction to the Artist’s Environment
Amidst the stillness of the Covid-19 pandemic, Zahra Ebrahimi Behfar, affectionately known as Saghi, found solace along the picturesque shores of Qeshm, an Iranian island in the northern Gulf. The isolation of those days led her to deepen her connection with the natural world. With every step along the sandy beaches, she confronted environmental challenges firsthand—specifically, the unsettling sight of discarded aluminum cans littering the landscape and floating in the azure waters.
Inspiration Through Observation
Saghi’s encounters sparked a creative journey, transforming simple observations into profound artistic expressions. “I would encounter aluminum cans scattered across the sand or floating in the sea,” she shared with The National. This initial experience would lay the groundwork for her latest work, Spinning Dolphin Stool, an innovative sculptural seat crafted from recycled materials.
Community Engagement in Creativity
The process of creating Spinning Dolphin Stool began long before the tangible piece materialized. Initially, Saghi collected cans during her walks and swims, but her personal endeavor quickly transformed into a community-driven project. “People began saving cans for me,” she noted, reflecting on the ways that collective efforts can amplify individual initiatives. This collaboration illustrates the communal spirit that can arise when individuals unite for a common cause, rallying around a shared concern for the environment.
Turning Observation into Action
For Saghi, her collection activities were a way to engage actively with her surroundings, shifting from a passive observer to an engaged participant. Each dive into the sea to retrieve trash became a “small act of reciprocity in the greater cycle of the ecosystem.” Through her work, she seeks to remind others of their agency in protecting the planet, emphasizing that every small action contributes to a larger movement.
Articulating Inspiration through Design
The Spinning Dolphin Stool draws its essence from the graceful spinner dolphins known for their acrobatic movements. The design process was both innovative and sustainable: Saghi utilized 3D printing technology to create a prototype from recycled plastic, then developed a mold to cast the final stool using reclaimed aluminum. Each step of this process was chosen with environmental impact in mind, with Saghi noting, “Every step was intentionally chosen to reduce environmental impact while honoring the material’s origin—waste transformed into a vessel of awareness.”
A Broader Collection With a Message
Spinning Dolphin Stool is just one piece from a larger collection inspired by the diverse marine life of the Gulf, which includes representations of various creatures such as hammerhead and blacktip sharks, and the mighty humpback whale. For Saghi, each creation serves as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness with nature and our shared responsibilities toward preserving ecosystems. “Each creature represents a part of our shared ecosystem and our forgotten connection to it,” she reflects.
Exploring Heritage and Future Responsibilities
Looking ahead, Saghi hopes to showcase her pieces in a gallery or public space where they can converse with each other in an engaging manner. Her vision for the Gulf extends beyond artistic creation; she sees it as a historical hub where cultures and economies have intertwined for centuries. “These waters connected distant cultures and economies – they were a lifeline,” she emphasizes, linking the historical significance of the Gulf with the need for contemporary environmental consciousness.
A Personal Revolution Through the Pandemic
This new direction in Saghi’s artistry is a shift from her previous works, which centered more heavily on community research. However, this latest endeavor is deeply personal, shaped by her own experiences. “The connection I formed with the sea and the mangrove forests during the quiet of the pandemic was not just inspiring, it was transformative,” she explains. This transformative experience prompted her to ponder ways she could give back to the environment that had nurtured her creativity.
Deepening Environmental Research and Collaboration
Though Saghi’s project has roots in personal experience, diligent research into the marine environment remains central to her creative vision. She envisions collaborating with organizations across the UAE that focus on environmental and cultural preservation. “What I feel most urgently is the need to slow down and go deeper,” she states emphatically. By listening to the stories embedded in the landscape and the seas, she aims to enrich her understanding and amplify her creative message.
Beyond the Physical: The Essence of Art
For Saghi, Spinning Dolphin Stool transcends mere design. “It’s about the sea that has always carried our stories, our food, our dreams, and our futures,” she emphasizes. Her work seeks to evoke a sense of gratitude for the Gulf, illustrating its role as a living bridge between diverse peoples and histories. She aims for her audience to feel the fragility of this connection and the urgent need to protect it.
Additional Creations in the Collection
In addition to the Spinning Dolphin Stool, other pieces in Saghi’s collection include a bench inspired by the humpback whale, envisioned to be placed along the UAE coastline. This bench reflects not just artistry but a place for contemplation, inviting people to pause and appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings. Another innovative creation, the Blacktip Shark, serves as a public light sculpture, ingeniously blending function and form, while reminding viewers of their deep-seated connection to the natural world.
A Call for Collective Action
Saghi’s artistic journey serves as a powerful reminder for all artists to view their practices as part of a larger ecosystem of social and environmental responsibility. “We are now at a critical threshold. If we don’t act, if we don’t tell these stories, protect these spaces or offer something back to the future, there may not be much left to pass on.” Her commitment not only enriches the cultural landscape of the UAE but also fosters a deeper conversation about our relationship with nature and the legacy we wish to create for future generations.
