Some things exist precisely because others no longer do. Sedimentary rocks, for example, are derivative of more ancient matter transformed by disintegration and pressurised recombination. In this work, Behnam-Bakhtiar's own lithification technique persuades the rainbow to stiffen into vertical columns.

The artist does not permit a smooth lane structure with a horizontal cleft dividing the canvas. The spines of unrelated books in a dusty library powdered by a prism.

Peering into this opencast mine, the orange-red bands vie with the peeling blue and the yellow-green zest. Decay is already initiated. Elsewhere off-whites and their familiars coexist more amicably.

The fine brushwork and extensive palette use finer striations to build coarser ones. There is a fricative mood as crystalline

Seen at Setareh London on 11 June 2026. Part of a solo exhibition 'Sanctuary' on show until 11 July.