Shadows within Memory: “Lies That Bled Blue” by Soufia Erfanian

With the eighteenth edition of our HAUSFÜHRUNGEN we offer another in depth look into our current exhibition, which presents wonderful and diverse artistic positions. The series “Lies That Bled Blue” by Soufia Erfanian takes viewers into memories of her childhood. The coloring appears unreal as if seen through a dream frequency. The figures adopt the blue grey tone of their undefined surroundings. In a scene that seems familiar, the protagonists appear isolated from one another despite their physical closeness and the feeling of distance becomes tangible through the cool colors. A human figure looking away extends a hand toward a little girl. The costume like clothing, the painted eyes and the close fitting hair of the figure evoke a mime who cannot speak, who is masked, who dresses up and hides the true self. This enactment of a role points to Soufia Erfanian’s background. Growing up in Iran under strict Islamic regulations, her childhood was shaped by loss, separation and silence.