SURAYA HARFUSH

Inspired by the book “Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino. The descriptions of Calvino’s cities has been an inspiration for many of my early works. Imagination, subtlety, memory and desire are the foundations for this series.

"Laboratory of dreams" is a series commissioned by Laboratory of Dreams from Barcelona. The commission requested a focus on the color blue and inspired me to produce these vibrant, colorful works, resonating in depth and meaning.

This series of paintings is dedicated to my brother. The immense blue of his soul is a daily inspiration in my work.

The celebration of clouds and cherry blossom has an importance in my paintings and often inspires the trees and clouds in my work. There are many different varieties of cherry trees in Japan, most of which bloom for just a couple of days in Spring. During cherry blossom season the color spread and the intensity of flowers seem like beautiful clouds. I try to convey their beauty, their harmony and their ephemeral nature in this series.

Silence is captivating. The development of my work takes place in days of long silence. This series speaks of the enchantment of silence and the magic of whispers.

Dreams have had an important impact on my personal life. Our dreams are perfect machines that express boundless possibilities. The many different layers within that dream experience are the inspiration for these paintings.

The first painting of this series was painting on September 2015.

"... as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do -

determined to save

the only life you could save." (Mary Oliver. "The journey")

This series, "Constellation", was created in honor of the dark blue sky in the remote and forgotten towns of the Mexican high plateau. A space that shares a fascination with the sky, stars, moon and planets, where the universe has perfect balance and magnificent color blasts the evening sky.   

This series of paintings started in 2015 and continues to develop.

My work in”Bestiarium” is a study exploring some animals, their spirits. The power of their presence between the fantasy and the real world. My own concept of fantastic world is not detached from the real one. In this serie the fantastic and real world are constantly weaving together.
Ink on paper